Nicola Sturgeon has said she intends to “get on with life and my job” following the arrest of her husband during a police probe into the handling of the SNP’s finances.
In her first comments since the party’s former chief executive Peter Murrell’s arrest, she said recent days had been “obviously difficult” as she spoke to reporters outside their Uddingston home on Saturday.
She said: “There’s obviously nothing I can say about the ongoing investigation, as much as there are things I might want to say, I’m not able to do so.
“Other than that, as has been the case, there will continue to be full cooperation.
“The last few days have been obviously difficult, quite traumatic at times, but I understand that is part of a process.
“I also understand and accept the scrutiny comes on me as a public figure and I have never shied away from that.
“I intend to get on with my life and my job as you would expect.”
When asked if she has been interviewed by police, she responded: “I haven’t but I will fully cooperate with police as and when they request that, if indeed they do.”
“Peter is not able to say anything and that is not necessarily a matter of choice. That’s just the nature of this.”
On Wednesday April 5, former chief executive Murrell was arrested by police investigating the spending of around £600,000 which was earmarked for an independence campaign.
He was released on Wednesday evening without charge pending further investigation.
Police searched their home for more than a day, with uniformed officers also searching the SNP’s headquarters in Edinburgh.
On Friday April 7, it emerged that the accountancy firm which audits the SNP’s finances has resigned after working with the party for a decade.
Accountants Johnston Carmichael informed the party of the decision before Murrell’s arrest.
The party’s treasurer is now seeking another auditor in order to comply with Electoral Commission rules.
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