[Update] Nicola Sturgeon, ex-Scottish leader arrested in a financial investigation

In a statement, Police Scotland, the Scottish National Police, said a ’52-year-old woman…has been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the National Party Scottish”. The case is still ongoing. The woman was “in police custody and is currently being questioned by detectives from Police Scotland”, according to the latest statement from Police Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon, who was the former Scottish First Minister, was taken into police custody on Sunday as part of an investigation into the finances of the current Scottish National Party (SNP), according to official statements. Although authorities in the UK are not naming the suspects until they are charged, BBC News has identified the person arrested as Sturgeon. Later, a rep for Sturgeon said she “attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned.” “Nicola has always said she would cooperate with the investigation if asked, and she continues to do so,” the spokesperson continued.

Since taking over as First Minister and leader of the SNP in 2014, Sturgeon has been widely seen as a dominant force in Scottish politics. She also became one of the most vocal advocates of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. However, in February this year she announced her resignation as prime minister, saying she had realized “in my head and in my heart” that it was time for her to step down from the post. This announcement stunned the whole nation.

According to The Guardian, Murrell was questioned for a total of 12 hours before being released without charges being filed. The homes of Sturgeon and Murrell, as well as the offices of the SNP, were both raided by police. Additionally, SNP Treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested by police but later released without being charged. His detention is part of Operation Branchform, which is an investigation into “allegations that the (SNP) spent over £600,000 ($750,000) on donations for an independence campaign”, as reported by The Guardian. Just over two months before Sturgeon was detained, her husband, Peter Murrell, who had previously served as chief executive of the SNP, was also detained in connection with the investigation.