The former first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has been released from police custody pending further investigation after being arrested amid an investigation into the finances of the Scottish National Party.

According to Police Scotland, Sturgeon, 52, was arrested “as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.” She was questioned by detectives after being arrested at 10.09 a.m Sunday, and was released from custody at 5.24 p.m. without charge, pending further investigation.

Sturgeon — who led Scotland’s government from 2014 until 2023 — is the third senior SNP figure to be arrested in connection with the probe, which started interviewing witnesses this year.

Police Scotland launched their inquiry in 2021 after complaints were made about the SNP’s use of a £600,000-plus fund raised by activists which was intended to be ring-fenced for campaigning towards Scottish independence.

Her husband, the former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was picked up by police in April, while the SNP’s treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested two weeks later. Both men were also released without charge pending further investigation.

Sturgeon shocked Scotland when she announced her departure as first minister in February.

She was replaced by Humza Yousaf following a bitter SNP leadership election, though the police investigation has overshadowed the opening months of his time in office.

In a statement following her release Sunday night, Sturgeon said: “Innocence is not just a presumption I am entitled to in law. I know beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing.”

The former first minster said she would “take a day or two to process this latest development,” but stressed she intended to return to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood soon “where I will continue to represent my Glasgow Southside constituents to the very best of my ability.”