A defiant Nicola Sturgeon has told of her ‘shock’ and ‘deep distress’ tonight, after she was arrested and held for seven hours in a Police probe involving SNP finances, insisting in an emotional statement she is innocent. 

The former first minister was detained this morning and held in custody while she was quizzed by detectives. Police Scotland confirmed she was released at 5.24pm this afternoon, after being arrested at 10.09am this morning. 

The 52-year-old stood down as both SNP leader and first minister in March this year, since when there have been several dramatic developments in the probe into her party’s spending.

In a shock statement tonight on Twitter this evening, Ms Sturgeon, who said she would be back in Parliament soon, said: ‘I know beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing.’ 

‘To find myself in the situation I did today when I am certain I have committed no offence is both a shock and deeply distressing’, she added.  

The whereabouts of the first minister remain unclear, however, members of the press have gathered outside her Glasgow home.

It comes after the arrest of her husband, Peter Murrell – the SNP’s former chief executive – in April, just prior to a two-day police search of the couple’s Glasgow home.

This saw a blue forensic tent erected out the front of the property, while officers were spotted scouring both inside the house and outside in the back garden.

Soon afterwards, a luxury camper van – thought to be worth around £110,000 – was seized by police.

Colin Beattie, the SNP’s then treasurer, was arrested later in April and subsequently stood down from his party role.

Ms Sturgeon’s full statement tonight read: ‘To find myself in the situation I did today when I am certain I have committed no offence is both a shock and deeply distressing.

‘I know that this ongoing investigation is difficult for people, and I am grateful that so many continue to show faith in me and appreciate that I would never do anything to harm either the SNP or the country.

‘Obviously, given the nature of this process, I cannot go into detail.

‘However, I do wish to say this, and to do so in the strongest possible terms. Innocence is not just a presumption I am entitled to do in law.

‘I know beyond any doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing.

‘To the many people who have sent messages of support over these past difficult weeks – including since today’s news broke – thank you for your kindness.

‘Thank you also to my close circle of family and friends who are giving me much-needed strength at this time.

‘Finally, while I will take a day of two to process this latest development, I intend to be back in Parliament soon where I will continue to represent my Glasgow Southside constituents to the very best of my ability.’

Police Scotland’s probe, which was opened in July 2021 and is known as Operation Branchform, centres on the spending of £660,000 in donations that had been earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning. 

Providing a fresh update on Ms Sturgeons arrest this afternoon, Police Scotland said: ‘A 52-year-old woman who was arrested earlier today, Sunday, 11 June, 2023, as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party, has been released without charge pending further investigation.

‘The woman was questioned by Police Scotland detectives after she was arrested at 10.09am. She was released from custody at 5.24pm.

‘A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

‘The matter remains active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media.’

Earlier today, the force announced it had arrested ‘a 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday 11 June 2023 been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party’.

A spokeswoman for Ms Sturgeon, who is MSP for Glasgow Southside, said following her arrest that the former SNP leader voluntarily attended an interview with Police Scotland. 

‘Nicola has consistently said she would co-operate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so,’ they added. 

Both Mr Murrell, who quit as SNP chief executive in March amid a row over the party’s membership numbers, and Mr Beattie were released without charge pending further investigation.

When she announced her resignation as first minister in February, which stunned Scottish politics, Ms Sturgeon denied it was in relation to short-term pressures but said she knew in her ‘head and heart’ that the time was right to go.

She spent more than eight years as first minister, and had previously served more than seven years as deputy to her predecessor Alex Salmond. 

An SNP spokesperson said following her arrest: ‘These issues are subject to a live police investigation.

‘The SNP have been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so, however it is not appropriate to publicly address any issues while that investigation is ongoing.’