Scotland's ex-leader Nicola Sturgeon released without charge after arrest in party finance probe

Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been released without a charge after she was arrested by police earlier Sunday, as part of an investigation into financial misconduct by the Scottish National Party (SNP), according to UK's PA Media.

"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," Police Scotland said in an updated statement Sunday.

A spokeswoman for Sturgeon earlier confirmed the arrest and told PA Media "Nicola has consistently said she would co-operate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so."

Sturgeon's husband and former SNP chief executive, Peter Murrell, was arrested and released earlier this month, followed by the group's treasurer, Colin Beattie, and officers have raided the party's headquarters in Edinburgh.

Sturgeon abruptly announced her resignation as first minister in February after a nine-year stint in which she became the figurehead of the movement for Scotland's independence from the United Kingdom.

She cited the demands of public life and the "brutality" of frontline politics for her surprise decision.

But since standing down, the party she led for almost a decade has descended into chaos amid a widely publicized police investigation. Officers have been probing the SNP's handling of money that was slated for Scottish independence campaigning, according to PA Media.