UK

Nicola Sturgeon returns home after arrest: ‘I’ve done nothing wrong’

Scotland’s former first minister was questioned by police investigating the SNP’s finances and released without charge

Nicola Sturgeon said: 'I’ve done nothing wrong and that is the only thing I’m going to assert today.' Photograph: Wattie Cheung/Getty Images

Helen Pidd
Sun Jun 18 2023 - 15:04

Scotland’s former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has insisted “I’ve done nothing wrong” as she returned home for the first time following her arrest last Sunday.

Her statement came as a Sunday Times poll suggested Labour would defeat the Scottish National Party (SNP) at the next election for the first time since 2010 to become Scotland’s largest party at Westminster.

The Panelbase Poll for the Sunday Times – the first to be wholly conducted since Ms Sturgeon’s arrest – signals a significant downturn for the SNP. The party would hold just 21 seats at the next general election, its poorest result for 13 years.

What will Nicola Sturgeon’s arrest mean for the SNP?

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Ms Sturgeon was questioned by police investigating the SNP’s finances and released without charge on June 11th pending further investigation.

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Returning to her Glasgow home on Sunday, Ms Sturgeon said: “I can’t say very much just now. What I will say is reiterate the statement I issued last Sunday, I’m certain that I have done nothing wrong.

“I intend to be back in parliament in the early part of the week. I’ll make myself available for questions then. For now I intend to go home and catch up with some family.”

Asked whether she had considered stepping back from the SNP, Ms Sturgeon said: “I’ve done nothing wrong and that is the only thing I’m going to assert today.”

[ Party divisions deepen after Sturgeon arrest as Labour sizes up opportunity to dominate Scottish politics ]

She asked for privacy for herself and her neighbours, saying: “I know I’m a public figure, I accept what comes with that, but I’m also a human being that’s entitled to a bit of privacy and my neighbours are also entitled to a bit of that as well.”

Asked whether conditions had been placed on her arrest, she said: “No, and I’m not going to get into anything other than that.”

When asked whether she would have suspended herself, Ms Sturgeon said: “Look, I’ve done nothing wrong, it’s for others to comment as they see fit but that’s my position.” – Guardian

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