Nicola Sturgeon knows ‘nothing more’ about police probe 18 months after arrest | UK News

Nicola Sturgeon says she knows “nothing more” about the police investigation into the SNP’s funding and finances, 18 months after she was arrested and released without charge.

The former first minister, who was questioned by officers in June last year, said she was getting on with life “as best I can at the moment”.

The ex-SNP leader has continually denied any wrongdoing.

Former SNP chief executive and Ms Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, was charged with embezzling party funds in April.

Ex-party treasurer MSP Colin Beattie has also been arrested and released as part of the probe.

The long-running Police Scotland inquiry – dubbed Operation Branchform – has been ongoing since July 2021.

The probe is linked to the spending of around £600,000 raised by SNP supporters to be earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.

Asked if she had heard anything further regarding the investigation, Ms Sturgeon said: “I have nothing to add. Nothing to offer you on that.

“I know nothing more than I did back then and I can’t comment on it anyway.

“I am just getting on with my life as best I can at the moment.”

In September, it emerged senior officers had contacted the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) the month before for “advice and guidance” on the next steps.

A report with the latest information on the major investigation was exchanged between the law enforcement authorities.

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Ms Sturgeon, MSP for Glasgow Southside, recently submitted nomination papers to the SNP as it looks to confirm its candidates for the 2026 Holyrood election.

Ms Sturgeon, who has been an MSP since the devolved Scottish parliament was first established in 1999, added that she would make a final decision on whether to run again in “due course”.

She said: “I’ve submitted the papers, so as things stand I’m not planning to go anywhere.

“But I have not taken a final decision, I will take a final decision on that in due course.”

Ms Sturgeon added that her decision would be made “in good enough time to either confirm myself as a candidate or allow the party to choose somebody else”.