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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon answers questions from the floor after addressing the RSA Fellowship in her final public event as Scottish First Minister at RSA House in central London and Change. Film Date: Monday March 20, 2023.
CNN
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Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been released without charge after being arrested by police earlier on Sunday as part of an investigation into Scottish National Party (SNP) financial irregularities, the UK’s PA media reported.
“A 52-year-old woman, who was arrested on Sunday, 11 June 2023, as a suspect in connection with investigations into the finances and finances of the Scottish National Party, has been released without charge pending further enquiries. Police Scotland said in an updated statement on Sunday.
A spokesman for Sturgeon earlier confirmed the arrest, telling PA media “Nicola will continue to cooperate with the investigation if and when asked.”
Sturgeon’s husband is former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell He was arrested and released earlier this monthThe group’s treasurer Colin Beattie and officers then raided the party’s headquarters in Edinburgh.
Sturgeon abruptly announced her resignation as First Minister in February after nine years at the helm of the movement for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.
He cited the demands of public life and the “brutality” of mainstream politics for his surprising decision.
But stalled, the party he led for nearly a decade descended into disarray amid a widely publicized police investigation. According to PA Media, authorities are investigating the handling of SNP money for the Scottish Independence campaign.
The group has dominated politics north of the border for more than a decade and pushed for a repeat of the 2014 referendum on independence, in which voters rejected leaving the UK by 55% to 45%.
Sturgeon has enjoyed a series of notable electoral victories in Scotland, where the SNP has led a devolved government since 2007.
But momentum behind Sturgeon’s push for independence has stalled in recent months, with polls showing a drop in support and the Supreme Court last year blocking her bid to hold a unilateral referendum without Westminster’s backing.
Sturgeon was replaced this year when Hamza Yusuf was president A narrow victory in a bitter leadership election That exposed the divisions within the party.
Confusion and legal questions surrounding the party could threaten its stranglehold on Scottish politics, with pro-union Labor resurgent in the nation.
