Nicola Sturgeon questioned by police
Former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon was on Sunday arrested as part of an investigation into financial irregularities, according to police. Her detention marks the third arrest in the probe, which has sent shockwaves through Scotland's political system, long dominated by the Scottish National Party (SNP). "A 52-year-old woman has today... been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party," Police Scotland said in a statement. A spokesperson for Sturgeon said the former SNP leader voluntarily attended an interview with police. She was in custody and was being questioned by detectives, added police. Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, was arrested in April as part of the probe. At the time, police raided the Glasgow home shared by the couple, erecting a crime-scene tent in the front garden, and SNP headquarters in Edinburgh. Murrell has long faced questions over the alleged diversion of £600,000 (HK$5.9 million) in SNP donations that were meant to support its drive for Scottish independence. He also failed to declare a personal loan to the party of more than £100,000. Party treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested in April. Sturgeon made her final appearance as First Minister in the Scottish Parliament in March. After more than eight years at the helm, Sturgeon said in February that she lacked the "energy" to carry on and was stepping down. (AFP)