Former Scottish First Minister Arrested

Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested in an investigation into financial misconduct, according to British police and media.

"A 52-year-old woman has today been arrested on suspicion of being involved in an ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP)," police said in a statement on June 11. British media later confirmed the woman's identity as former First Minister Sturgeon.

Nicola Sturgeon speaks at a press conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, on February 15. Photo: AFP

Sturgeon announced her resignation as first minister and leader of the SNP in February. She is the third person arrested as part of Operation Branchform, a Police Scotland investigation into allegations that the party misappropriated more than £600,000 ($750,000) raised by independence campaigners in 2017.

Investigators are questioning Ms Sturgeon “as a suspect”, police said. A spokesman for the former first minister said she had met police by pre-arranged appointment, knowing she would be arrested and questioned.

"Ms Nicola has consistently stated her willingness to cooperate with the investigation if required and will continue to do so," the spokesman said.

In April, Ms Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, and the party's then-treasurer were both arrested but later released pending further investigation.

Nicola Sturgeon has been Scotland's First Minister since November 2014, taking over from Alex Salmond. She has held the position for eight years, making her the first woman to hold the post and the longest-serving.

At the time of her resignation, Sturgeon insisted that the decision was not related to the "recent period of pressure", in which she faced a series of controversies over gender reform, transgender prisoners or plans for an independence referendum to separate from the UK.

Vu Hoang (According to Guardian, AFP, Reuters )

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