Ex-Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon arrested over governing party’s finances
The former leader of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has been arrested by police investigating the finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which has been a major driving force behind Scottish independence. The police investigation centres around £600,000 ($745,000) designated for a Scottish independence campaign. Party treasurer Colin Beattie and former chief executive Peter Murrell have already been arrested as part of the investigation. Murrell, who is Sturgeon’s husband, was arrested in April and police searched the couple’s home in Glasgow. Sturgeon surprisingly resigned in February after eight years as the SNP leader, leaving her main goal of Scottish independence unachieved. She said at the time that it was the right time for her, the party and the country to make way for someone else. The BBC and other media outlets first identified Sturgeon as the 52-year-old woman arrested. The party did not immediately comment.
FAQs:
Who has been arrested by the Scottish police?
The former Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has been arrested by the Scottish police.
Why has she been arrested?
She has been arrested by the police investigating the finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
What is the investigation about?
The investigation centres around £600,000 ($745,000) designated for a Scottish independence campaign.
Who else has been arrested as part of the investigation?
Party treasurer Colin Beattie and former chief executive Peter Murrell have already been arrested.
Why was Peter Murrell’s arrest significant?
Peter Murrell is Nicola Sturgeon’s husband and Scottish police searched their home in Glasgow after his arrest in April.
What is the SNP?
The Scottish National Party (SNP) is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland that campaigns for Scottish independence.
What was Nicola Sturgeon’s role in the SNP?
Sturgeon was the leader of the SNP for eight years and was the first minister of Scotland’s semi-autonomous government.
What was Sturgeon’s main goal as an SNP leader?
Sturgeon’s main goal was Scottish independence from the UK.
Why did Sturgeon resign?
Sturgeon resigned unexpectedly in February, citing that it was the right time for her, her party and her country to make way for someone else.
Why did her resignation create a tussle in the SNP?
Her resignation unleashed a tussle for the future of the SNP amid recriminations over the party’s declining membership and divisions about the best path towards independence.
Is another Scottish referendum on independence likely?
The SNP wants a new referendum on independence, but the UK Supreme Court has ruled that Scotland cannot hold one without London’s consent. The central government has refused to authorise another referendum.
Nicola Sturgeon, former Scottish leader, apprehended for mishandling governing party’s funds.
Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been detained by police as part of an ongoing investigation into the finances of the governing, pro-independence Scottish National Party. The 52-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday and is currently being questioned by Police Scotland detectives, according to official statements. The party has not yet commented on the event. The investigation focuses on how £600,000 ($745,000) of designated funds for a Scottish independence campaign were spent. Scottish police have previously arrested party treasurer Colin Beattie and former chief executive Peter Murrell, who is also Sturgeon’s husband. Neither has been charged. Sturgeon stepped down as SNP leader and first minister of Scotland’s semi-autonomous government in February following divisions within the party and a failure to secure Scottish independence from the UK. The SNP seeks a new referendum, but this has been blocked by the UK government.