Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lynn Love

Nicola Sturgeon 'not returned home' following arrest in SNP fraud probe

Nicola Sturgeon has reportedly not returned home following her arrest yesterday morning.

There was no sign of life at the former First Minister's Uddingston home today as media camped outside waiting for her return.

Neighbours on the quiet suburban street told the Daily Record they had not seen the SNP MSP or her husband Peter Murrell overnight.

Media outside the home of Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (Getty Images)

A nearby neighbour said there hadn’t appeared to be any movement at the house overnight. She said: “We’ve not seen or heard anything. It’s been all quiet.”

Sturgeon was arrested by cops yesterday morning as part of the investigation into the SNP's finances. She was released without charge after seven hours of questioning.

Taking the Twitter last night, the 52-year-old said the arrest was "both a shock and deeply distressing".

Sturgeon said in her statement: "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.

The former first minister's arrest comes after her husband Peter Murrell was arrested in April (PA Wire/PA Images)

“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 do in law. I know beyond 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 or 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.”

It's been reported that the SNP are facing a call for Sturgeon to be suspended from the party following her arrest.

The Scottish Conservatives have said Sturgeon should now be suspended from the party by First Minister and SNP leader Humza Yousaf.

This is due to to previous situations in which SNP parliamentarians have been suspended.

Scottish Conservative Chairman Craig Hoy said: “Nicola Sturgeon and other senior SNP figures – including Humza Yousaf – must cooperate fully with this police investigation and commit to full transparency surrounding it.

“The SNP continue to be engulfed in murkiness and chaos. Humza Yousaf must now show some leadership and suspend his predecessor from the SNP."

While SNP MSP Ash Regan said Sturgeon should consider giving up her membership until after the probe - or her Yousaf should take "decisive action".

She said: "The Government needs to be completely focused on delivering public services and delivering for the people of Scotland in these difficult times."

She said the investigation could be a "distraction", adding: "I think that Nicola should perhaps consider voluntarily resigning her SNP membership until this can be cleared up."

To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here .

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.