Ex-Scottish chief Nicola Sturgeon arrested by police investigating governing social gathering’s funds

LONDON — Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who dominated politics in Scotland for years, was arrested Sunday by police investigating the funds of the governing, pro-independence Scottish National Party.

Police Scotland mentioned a 52-year-old lady was detained “as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.”

“The woman is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives,” the pressure mentioned.

U.Ok. police don’t identify suspects till they’re charged. The BBC and different media retailers recognized the arrested lady as Sturgeon. The social gathering didn’t instantly remark.

Scottish police have been investigating how 600,000 kilos ($745,000) designated for a Scottish independence marketing campaign was spent.

Party treasurer Colin Beattie and former chief govt Peter Murrell have been arrested beforehand and questioned as a part of the investigation. Neither has been charged.

Murrell is Sturgeon’s husband, and police searched the couple’s house in Glasgow after his arrest in April.

Sturgeon unexpectedly resigned in February after eight years as Scottish National Party chief and first minister of Scotland’s semi-autonomous authorities. She mentioned that it was the best time for her, her social gathering and her nation to make means for another person.

Sturgeon left workplace amid divisions within the SNP and along with her major objective – independence from the U.Ok. for the nation of 5.5 million folks – unmet.

Scottish voters backed remaining within the U.Ok. in a 2014 referendum that was billed as a once-in-a-generation resolution. The social gathering needs a brand new vote, however the U.Ok. Supreme Court has dominated that Scotland can’t maintain one with out London’s consent. The central authorities has refused to authorize one other referendum.

Sturgeon‘s departure unleashed a tussle for the future of the SNP amid recriminations over the party’s declining membership and divisions about the perfect path towards independence.