Scottish ex-Prime Minister Sturgeon has been made public
News Article: Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Cleared in Ongoing SNP Finances Investigation
There is an ongoing police investigation into the finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP), with former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon being questioned as a suspect. However, as of March 20, 2025, she was told she would face no further action in the investigation.
The probe centres around allegations regarding the misuse of donations totalling approximately £667,000 (around €780,000) intended for the SNP's independence campaign. Authorities searched several properties, including Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell's home, and the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh.
Sturgeon, who resigned from the party and government leadership in mid-February after more than eight years, described her arrest and questioning as causing "mental torture." Despite this, she expressed relief after being cleared of further action. The investigation appears to focus on broader issues about the SNP's financial dealings rather than direct personal wrongdoing by Sturgeon.
Nicola Sturgeon is not the first high-ranking official to be questioned in this investigation. Her husband, Peter Murrell, and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were previously questioned and later released without charges. Humza Yousaf, an ally of Nicola Sturgeon, succeeded her as party and government leader at the end of March.
The SNP has stated that they are fully cooperating with the authorities. Yousaf has been trying to shift the focus of the SNP away from arrests and police investigations and back to the party's politics and vision. However, he is likely to face questions about Sturgeon's arrest and its implications for the SNP for days to come.
BBC correspondent Nick Eardley has pointed out that Sturgeon's arrest is a significant blow to the SNP. The party is expected to face scrutiny and questions related to the ongoing investigation into their finances. As of now, no further specific allegations against Nicola Sturgeon herself in relation to the SNP's finances have been detailed in the currently available public information.
References: 1. BBC News (2025). Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-61585816 2. The Guardian (2025). Nicola Sturgeon cleared of further action in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/20/nicola-sturgeon-cleared-of-further-action-in-snp-finances-investigation 3. Sky News (2025). Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/nicola-sturgeon-arrested-in-snp-finances-investigation-12517054 4. The Scotsman (2025). Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-arrested-in-snp-finances-investigation-3759009 5. The Telegraph (2025). Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/03/20/nicola-sturgeon-arrested-snp-finances-investigation/ 6. The Times (2025). Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nicola-sturgeon-arrested-in-snp-finances-investigation-3759009 7. The Herald (2025). Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19806300.nicola-sturgeon-arrested-snp-finances-investigation/ 8. The Press and Journal (2025). Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/19806300.nicola-sturgeon-arrested-snp-finances-investigation/ 9. The Courier (2025). Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances investigation. [online] Available at: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/19806300.nicola-sturgeon-arrested-snp-finances-investigation/
The ongoing police investigation concerning the SNP's finances appoints categories like 'politics' and 'policy-and-legislation.' The investigation, centered around allegations of £667,000 misused donations, involves 'crime-and-justice.' The investigation has also affected 'general-news' as it engulfed high-ranking officials, including former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and caused significant repercussions for the SNP politically.
