SNP finances probe: Nicola Sturgeon says she will not quit SNP as she returns to Scottish Parliament

The former first minister spoke to the media in Holyrood

Nicola Sturgeon has said she will not quit the SNP following her arrest by police investigating the party’s finances, arguing that doing so would “compromise” her ability to assert her innocence.

The former first minister spoke to journalists as she returned to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, where she stressed she was “absolutely certain” she had done nothing wrong.

Asked if her husband Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, was innocent of any wrongdoing, Ms Sturgeon said she could only speak for herself.

Former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon returns to the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood following her arrest in the police investigation into the SNP's finances. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

She said: “Before I say what I’m about to say, I’m saying it as a statement of fact, not a loaded statement, that you should read anything into one way or another. But in a situation like this, I can only speak for myself, and I am only speaking for myself.

"There is also a difference between me and my husband. I am an elected politician, I am a public servant, and therefore there is an expectation – I think a legitimate expectation on your part – that I make statements and, to the best of my ability, answer questions. Obviously, Peter is not in that position.”

Ms Sturgeon spent nearly seven hours in custody after being arrested on June 11, before she was released without charge pending further investigation.

Mr Murrell was arrested and released without charge in early April, at the same time as the couple’s home on the outskirts of Glasgow was searched by police. The SNP’s headquarters in central Edinburgh was also raided.

Nicola Sturgeon speaking to the media on her return to the Scottish Parliament. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Speaking to reporters in Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said she would not quit the SNP as doing so would “compromise” her ability to assert her innocence.

She said: "The interests of the SNP are as close to my heart as it’s possible for anything to be. There may be an argument, if I thought I was to step aside, that you would all then accept that this had nothing to do with the SNP – there may be an argument that’s not the case.

"But also what that would do, I think, would be to compromise my ability and my right to assert the position that I hold absolutely, which is that I have done nothing wrong.

“But I will always consider, and I will consider on an ongoing basis at all times, what’s in the best interests of the SNP, a party that I have given my all to over almost my entire life, and an organisation that for me is not abstract – it’s made up of my friends, my family, my colleagues.

"You’ve heard me describe it before as my extended family – that’s the depth of love, affection and concern I have for the SNP.”

The former first minister refused to say why she was arrested, other than to confirm it was in connection with the ongoing police investigation. She said she was “heavily constrained” in what she can say.

Ms Sturgeon said she had called the press conference in Holyrood as she wanted to be able to get on with her job. She also praised her successor Humza Yousaf, whose time in charge has been overshadowed by the police investigation.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Humza is doing an excellent job, and I’m not talking on these matters – I’m talking more widely.

"I think Humza, having been in the job for a relatively short period of time, is proving himself to be a very, very fine First Minister.”

Ms Sturgeon said recent weeks “had not been the best period of my life, and I think that is probably an understatement”, adding: “It’s not an easy period, but I’m not saying that for sympathy. This is a serious process. It’s a process that I respect and will continue to do so.”

She continued: “The thing that sustains me right now is the certainty that I’ve done nothing wrong, and I’m entitled to that presumption in law, but actually, more than that, that is a belief and a certainty that I have.”