Nicola Sturgeon has said she is “innocent of any wrongdoing” following her arrest by police investigating allegations of financial misconduct at the Scottish National Party.

Read the statement Ms Sturgeon issued following her release by police without charge:

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is “innocent of any wrongdoing” in a statement shortly after she was released without charge as part of a police probe in the SNP’s finances.

The former SNP leader said she has found her arrest both “a shock and deeply distressing” and thanked people for sending messages of support.

In a statement on Twitter, Ms Sturgeon said: “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.

“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.”

Police Scotland have confirmed that former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has been released without charge.

In a statement, Police Scotland, said: “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.

“The woman was questioned by Police Scotland detectives after she was arrested at 10.09am. She was released from custody at 5.24pm.

“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“The matter remains active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media.

“As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.”

Angus MacNeil, the SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, has tweeted that the “soap-opera has gone far enough”.

He added: “Nicola Sturgeon suspended others from the SNP for an awful lot less! Time for political distance until the investigation ends either way.”

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Tories, has tweeted that the SNP is ‘in chaos’.

Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon’s home that she shares with Peter Murrell, has been pictured today just hours after she was arrested by police.

Ms Sturgeon, 52, is the third senior SNP figure to be taken into custody after her husband, Mr Murrell, the party’s former chief executive, and Colin Beattie, the party’s ex-treasurer.

Robert Peston, the ITV’s political editor, said on Twitter that there “has never been a change of fortune in British politics as fast or dramatic as Nicola Sturgeon’s.”

He added: Also I think no modern precedent for an ex political leader as powerful as her to be held “in custody” by police. Extraordinary.

“Only weeks ago her colleagues were insisting to me this a storm in teacup. This is not to in any sense presume guilt or innocence. It is simply to place the arrest in historical context.”

Police Scotland first launched its investigation into potential criminality within the SNP’s fundraising in July 2021 after a formal complaint was filed in March that year by party activist Sean Clerkin, who alleged that around £666,953 in donations raised since 2017 for a second independence referendum campaign had been spent on other things, contrary to promises made to supporters.

The arrest of Nicola Sturgeon in connection with the probe into the SNP’s finances is a “deeply disturbing development, Labour has said.

Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said that “for too long, a culture of secrecy and cover-up has been allowed to fester at the heart of the SNP.”

“This is a deeply concerning development and the Police Scotland investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference,” he said.