Calls for Nicola Sturgeon to be suspended from the SNP in wake of her arrest
Humza Yousaf is facing calls to suspend Nicola Sturgeon from the SNP in the wake of her arrest by police investigating the party’s finances, including from one of his own MPs.
The First Minister has previously resisted calls to take disciplinary action against Ms Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell and MSP Colin Beattie, who were also arrested by Police Scotland officers.
But on Sunday he was facing renewed pressure to intervene after she became the second former SNP First Minister in a row to be arrested by police.
In common with Mr Murrell and Mr Beattie, who were arrested and questioned in April, Ms Sturgeon was later released without charge pending further investigation.
The SNP’s Angus MacNeil, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar covering the Outer Hebrides, called on Mr Yousaf to suspend his predecessor until the investigation concludes.
“This soap opera has gone far enough, Nicola Sturgeon suspended others from the SNP for an awful lot less,” he said. “Time for political distance until the investigation ends either way.”
Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy also called for Mr Yousaf to “show some leadership and suspend his predecessor from the SNP”.
“The SNP set that precedent when politicians such as Michelle Thomson and Natalie McGarry were under investigation and must do so again here,” he added.
The SNP was approached for comment.
After Mr Beattie’s arrest, Mr Yousaf said he would not be suspending him or other party members who were involved in the investigation.
The First Minister said it was a “really important point of natural law that people are presumed innocent until guilty”.
He said he would reconsider the situation if charges were brought by Police Scotland, saying if that was the case “we may well have to take that course of action”.
“Of course if they are guilty I would take the appropriate action, whether that is suspension or going further than that. But it is really important due process takes place.”
In a statement on Sunday night, Ms Sturgeon said that her arrest was “both a shock and deeply distressing” and added that “I know beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing”.
She said: “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.”
SNP MP Joanna Cherry, who has long been a critic of Ms Sturgeon, said her arrest was “a sad and difficult day for Scotland and for my party”.
But she added: “I believe passionately in due process, respecting the integrity of an ongoing investigation and the principle of innocent until proven guilty.”
Labour’s shadow Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, described Ms Sturgeon’s arrest as “deeply concerning” and said the police inquiry must be allowed to proceed without interference.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, meanwhile, said the day’s events would have “huge ramifications both for the SNP and the future of Scottish politics”.
