to be senior member of her party to be arrested in connection with this investigation. it's very early for reaction, but we have had a statement from a spokesperson for nicola sturgeon where they confirmed that she had by arrangement with the police scotland attended an interview where she was arrested and questioned in relation to operation branchform. they also went on to say that she has consistently said she would cooperated with the investigation if asked and continues to do so. there is also a statement from her party, the snp, they point out that this is a live police investigation, they say the snp has been cooperating fully with the investigation and will continue to do so. but they also go on to point out that it is not appropriate to publicly address any issues while this investigation is ongoing. of course, that makes it difficult as well for journalists.

course, that makes it difficult as well forjournalists. there is what is known as the contempt of court act, which restrains what anyone can say in these circumstances, it limits any speculation, but it is fair to say that this is a huge development, a very high profile politician, a former first minister, scotland's longest serving first minister, arrested today and being questioned as we speak in connection with this investigation into her party's finances are.— party's finances are. very big moment. _ party's finances are. very big moment. as _ party's finances are. very big moment, as you _ party's finances are. very big moment, as you say. - party's finances are. very big moment, as you say. just - party's finances are. very big moment, as you say. just in | party's finances are. very big - moment, as you say. just in terms of what impact this will have on the snp, the us operation for a long time, it began in 2021, has been casting a shadow over the snp. it has, but i think casting a shadow over the snp. it has, but i think it's fair to say that it has been going on in the background. it has, however, over the last couple of months picked up a considerable head of steam. that started with the arrest of nicola

sturgeon�*s husband, he was the former chief executive of the snp, there are those images of police entering the snp's headquarters in edinburgh, removing boxes of documents, they also erected a white tent outside their house in glasgow, they searched the house at the time, very difficult images for the snp andindeed very difficult images for the snp and indeed for the couple. peter murrell was arrested and later released without charge, pending further investigation, but it is give the sense of this long—running investigation picking up a case and the police scotland also have brought in the national crime agency into this investigation, so it is a multi—agency investigation into the funding and finances of the party, there was a moment a few weeks ago

where they seized a motorhome as well, that is, as we understand it, impounded. there are very strong imagery associated with this investigation. a lot of work going on behind the scenes and all the judicial bodies involved keen to emphasise again and again and again the independence of their investigation, which has been ongoing for a couple of years, but is certainly picking up pace over the last couple of months. figs is certainly picking up pace over the last couple of months. as you have pointed _ the last couple of months. as you have pointed out, _ the last couple of months. as you have pointed out, in _ the last couple of months. as you have pointed out, in the - the last couple of months. as you have pointed out, in the absence | the last couple of months. as you i have pointed out, in the absence of much detail, statements, the imagery has become very gripping in this case and specifically you have mentioned that tents erected in the front garden, which became a famous image, illustrating the turmoil engulfing the snp. about that the chief constable said he was aware of its but was aborted about, because he knew the circumstances and irrational thing utilising it. but

some members of the party at the time it felt the police were being rather heavy—handed in their approach. its rather heavy-handed in their approach-— rather heavy-handed in their a. roach, , w, ., , ., , approach. its extraordinary imagery, but the police _ approach. its extraordinary imagery, but the police would _ approach. its extraordinary imagery, but the police would stick _ approach. its extraordinary imagery, but the police would stick by - approach. its extraordinary imagery, but the police would stick by the - but the police would stick by the statement that they have to do what they have to do, in order to investigate complaints that were raised back in 2021 relating to donations to the snp party, donations to the snp party, donations that were made and were meant to be ring fenced to fight a future independence referendum in any investigation they would emphasise that they are following the lines of inquiry without fear or favour. but they were extraordinary images, they will of course be part of the move that makes it hard for humza yousaf, nicola sturgeon�*s successor, to move on, he keeps trying to draw lines under it, say here is my policy is, here is what i

want to do with the party, the party of government here in scotland. but remember one of the early arrests, the first arrest was peter murrell, thatis the first arrest was peter murrell, that is nicola sturgeon�*s husband, released without charge pending further investigation. second arrest was colin beattie, he was the former treasurer of the snp, he was released without charge, pending further investigation. but i happened on the day when in a sense humza yousaf was trying to reset his government, he wanted to do big policy announcements in the scottish parliament, they were all overshadowed by this arrest and then today humza yousaf does a big interview on the bbc, on the day that his predecessor as first minister, nicola sturgeon, he was very close to her of course but on the day that his predecessor has been arrested. it's very hard for him to get out from under this, to draw a line under it and say that we want to move on.— want to move on. indeed. just for viewers who _ want to move on. indeed. just for viewers who just _ want to move on. indeed. just for viewers who just be _ want to move on. indeed. just for viewers who just be joining - want to move on. indeed. just for viewers who just be joining us, i want to move on. indeed. just for| viewers who just be joining us, the viewers whojust bejoining us, the breaking news is that the former

scottish national party leader, nicola sturgeon, has been arrested by police scotland as a suspect in an investigation into the party's funding. that is the news we are following. and we are of course seeking reaction from across the political spectrum which we should be bringing you in the next half hour or so. be bringing you in the next half hour orso. but be bringing you in the next half hour or so. but while you are with us, you mentioned that this is a difficult conundrum for humza yousaf, he wants to move past this, but the curious thing about this particular situation is also that there is absolutely nothing he can do about it. there is absolutely nothing he can do about it— do about it. there isn't. it is a olice do about it. there isn't. it is a police investigation, - do about it. there isn't. it is a police investigation, the - do about it. there isn't. it is al police investigation, the police do about it. there isn't. it is a - police investigation, the police are separate from the government, he has always been very clear to say that process must continue that politicians play no part in it. but it does play difficult for the snp, they have been the dominant force in scottish politics for a long time now. polling suggests that labour

are making inroads into that snp dominance and that weather to be a general election that they could pick up perhaps 15 seats here in scotland. remember, this is a party at the moment, labour that has one seatin at the moment, labour that has one seat in scotland. they are facing problems and challenges, the snp from labour, it won't be helped by this. and it won't help their attempts to reset the policy in government. i think the issue of independence perhaps is a slightly aside from that, those people who believe in independence will to a greater or lesser degree probably still believe and support independence. but in terms of supporting the party, the snp does have a challenge ahead and it is not helped by this continual long—running investigation and this arrest today, this big news today, this arrest of the former first minister, former leader of the

party, nicola sturgeon. eta? minister, former leader of the party, nicola sturgeon. stay with us, thank party, nicola sturgeon. stay with us. thank you — party, nicola sturgeon. stay with us, thank you very _ party, nicola sturgeon. stay with us, thank you very much - party, nicola sturgeon. stay with us, thank you very much of - party, nicola sturgeon. stay with us, thank you very much of that, | us, thank you very much of that, don't go for too far, i'm sure we will be coming back to you. but for now i'm joined by political journalist at the katmai national. this is a big headline, how are you going to be covering this? we this is a big headline, how are you going to be covering this?- going to be covering this? we are coverin: it going to be covering this? we are covering it are — going to be covering this? we are covering it are the _ going to be covering this? we are covering it are the only _ going to be covering this? we are covering it are the only way - going to be covering this? we are covering it are the only way we i going to be covering this? we are i covering it are the only way we have so far, she has been arrested in connection with the investigation into the snp but finances and the news is on our website, it has taken a lot of people by surprise and we're just covering it in the best we're just covering it in the best we can, but this is an absolutely huge story, especially with our readership as well. so there is no denying that this is absolutely massive. 50 denying that this is absolutely massive. ,, ., , denying that this is absolutely massive. , , ., massive. so this was still a surprise — massive. so this was still a surprise then? _ massive. so this was still a surprise then? even - massive. so this was still a | surprise then? even though massive. so this was still a - surprise then? even though this investigation has been going on for some time. , investigation has been going on for some time-— investigation has been going on for some time. , ., , ,., , ~ some time. yes, absolutely, ithink the investigation _ some time. yes, absolutely, ithink the investigation had _ some time. yes, absolutely, ithink the investigation had gone - some time. yes, absolutely, ithink the investigation had gone quite - the investigation had gone quite quiet over the past few weeks, so i think there was an element of surprise to it and nicola sturgeon is a such a huge political figure,

we saw that when she resigned. she is notjust we saw that when she resigned. she is not just well—respected we saw that when she resigned. she is notjust well—respected among her supporters, but we heard from opposition leaders she resigned how much of a titan in politics that she is. so ijust think much of a titan in politics that she is. so i just think that when people see nicola sturgeon, that name and the fact she has been arrested, i think it is just one of those things thatis think it is just one of those things that is a big shock. that think it isjust one of those things that is a big shock.— that is a big shock. that is a big art of that is a big shock. that is a big part of this. _ that is a big shock. that is a big part of this, isn't _ that is a big shock. that is a big part of this, isn't it? _ that is a big shock. that is a big part of this, isn't it? why - that is a big shock. that is a big part of this, isn't it? why this . part of this, isn't it? why this headline is so surprising, because you say that nicola sturgeon had really built a name and a reputation in politics. really built a name and a reputation in olitics. ~ , , , .,, in politics. absolutely, she was known as one _ in politics. absolutely, she was known as one of _ in politics. absolutely, she was known as one of the _ in politics. absolutely, she was known as one of the best - known as one of the best communicators in politics throughout her eight years as first minister and she was first minister of ages, that in scotland's longest serving first minister and she was, as i say, well respected in all political circles. i think that is why there is an element of shock. we obviously had a rest of her husband, peter

murrell a few weeks ago, he was released without charge, colin beattie then followed the former snp treasurer, he was also released without charge. but i think that everybody across the uk and lots of people internationally as well another nicola sturgeon... she is such a huge politicalfigure another nicola sturgeon... she is such a huge political figure and this is why this will be resonating with a lot of people today. so this is why this will be resonating with a lot of people today.- with a lot of people today. so do ou think with a lot of people today. so do you think your— with a lot of people today. so do you think your readers _ with a lot of people today. so do you think your readers will- you think your readers will definitely be following this story very keenly?— definitely be following this story very keenly? definitely be following this story ve keenl? , ~ ., ., very keenly? absolutely. among our readership there _ very keenly? absolutely. among our readership there is _ very keenly? absolutely. among our readership there is a _ very keenly? absolutely. among our readership there is a lot _ very keenly? absolutely. among our readership there is a lot of _ very keenly? absolutely. among our readership there is a lot of nicola i readership there is a lot of nicola sturgeon followers out there, a lot of them, there are also people that questioned her politics throughout her time as leader. so yes, absolutely our readers will be following this really keenly today. just in terms of what this does for the first minister, humza yousaf, this is not going to be good news for him. he was hoping to be able to put this entire thing behind him.

no, it's not going to be easy for him, but he will be trying to focus on thejob at him, but he will be trying to focus on the job at hand the best he can. he has already talked to the press about the frustration that this investigation has caused, he has not really had a chance to bed and as first minister without this coming up first minister without this coming up again and again. so it will cause frustration for him, but i think what you will probably hear from him when he gets asked about it this week and later today is that he will be just trying to put it to one side, as best he can come and get on with hisjob of leading side, as best he can come and get on with his job of leading the government in scotland. that is . uite government in scotland. that is quite right- _ government in scotland. that is quite right. just _ government in scotland. that is quite right. just in _ government in scotland. that is quite right. just in terms - government in scotland. that is quite right. just in terms of i quite right. just in terms of looking forward to the next phases. obviously we don't know where the police investigation is going to go after this, police investigation is going to go afterthis, but police investigation is going to go after this, but if you can think back to when this investigation first began to pick up pace, what sort of reaction when you're getting

from your readers is back with a high interest in this case? i from your readers is back with a high interest in this case? i think there was high _ high interest in this case? i think there was high interest - high interest in this case? i think there was high interest in - high interest in this case? i think there was high interest in the i high interest in this case? i think. there was high interest in the case, but i think what we got from a lot of our readers, particularly ones that are snp supporters, was a bit of a reaction of defiance. i think a lot of us in the snp supporters felt the party is under siege during all of this. that is the kind of dominant reaction that we saw. i think we shall be able donating to the party a lot more in the wake of this investigation. so that is the kind of reaction that we have seen so far. mil kind of reaction that we have seen so far. �* , , ., ., ., so far. all rights, very good to get our so far. all rights, very good to get your thoughts. — so far. all rights, very good to get your thoughts, thank _ so far. all rights, very good to get your thoughts, thank you - so far. all rights, very good to get your thoughts, thank you very i so far. all rights, very good to get i your thoughts, thank you very much forjoining us. let's go to lorna gordon, our political correspondent who is there for us. i think it's worth just taking who is there for us. i think it's worthjust taking some who is there for us. i think it's worth just taking some time to recap all of the things that have happened this very busy morning since we first got this news flash, the

former first minister had been arrested in. former first minister had been arrested in-— arrested in. yes, the police released — arrested in. yes, the police released a _ arrested in. yes, the police released a statement i arrested in. yes, the police released a statement a i arrested in. yes, the policel released a statement a little arrested in. yes, the police i released a statement a little over an hour ago saying that they had arrested a 52—year—old woman in connection, as a suspect, in connection, as a suspect, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding of the finances of the scottish national party. in some ways this doesn't come as a surprise, because nicholas dudgeon is the third... was the third signatory on the snp accounts and the other two signatories have also been arrested over the past couple of months, they were questioned and then released without charge. it is worth looking at the time line, i think the broader timeline, that is led up to today. of course nicholas sturgeon was scotland's longest serving first minister, a formidable political operator, formidable communicator, she resigned from a position suddenly in mid—march. the 5th of april, peter murrell her husband,

the former chief executive of the snp, was arrested and questioned by the police in connection with this investigation into snp party finances. at that point we saw those very strong images of that tent erected outside peter murrell and nicola sturgeon's house, was the police going into the house and we saw police going into the snp headquarters in edinburgh, removing documents. that happened on the 5th of april. two weeks later, the former treasurer of the snp, colin beattie, was arrested and questioned by lease. he was later released without charge, pending further investigation will stop so many people, there has been a lot of stagnation here in scotland, about whether or not nicola sturgeon would be arrested and if so when. it did go a little bit quiet but there was always the sense that police, the police investigation, was continuing apace behind the scenes and then

today as a spokesperson for nicola sturgeon said, by arrangement with billy scotland attended an interview where she was arrested and questioned in relation to operation branchform. the way things work in scotland, 12 hours are from the time somebody is arrested before they are either have to be charged with a crime paul released while inquiries continue. then, as many of your guests and commentators have been at pains to emphasise, that arrest also means that the case is now active for the purposes of what is known as a contempt of court act, which limits what anyone can say and limits what anyone can say and limits the extent of any speculation surrounding today's developments. irate surrounding today's developments. we did hear from a spokesperson for nicola sturgeon earlier and confirming that arrest and saying she has consistently said she would cooperate with the investigation and

continues to do so. but interestingly, humza yousaf, nicola sturgeon's successor as first minister, he was speaking to the bbc today and he said that he had recently asked nicola sturgeon about her welfare, that she had mentioned how difficult and traumatic the last few weeks had been, he did say however that she was in a good place and doing well when he had seen her in the scottish parliament where she has kept a very low profile. this is going to take quite a toll on her, isn't it? it going to take quite a toll on her, isn't it? ., ., .,, isn't it? it humza yousaf in those comments _ isn't it? it humza yousaf in those comments and _ isn't it? it humza yousaf in those comments and said _ isn't it? it humza yousaf in those comments and said it _ isn't it? it humza yousaf in those comments and said it has - isn't it? it humza yousaf in those comments and said it has been . comments and said it has been stressful for nicola sturgeon in relation to his conversations that he has had with her. but as you said, he said she has beenjust like she is a good place and doing well. but he also emphasised that he cannot comment on a live ongoing police investigation. inevitably,

for any individual, this would be an immensely stressful situation to be in, arrested and questioned by police. but of course this is a multifaceted... it's not only difficult for the individuals involved, but it's difficult for the snp as well. they have been the dominant political force here snp as well. they have been the dominant politicalforce here in scotland for many, many years. the dividing fault line in scottish politics is whether or not you support independence and they are a pro—independence party, that has independence for scotland as its key message, they want to see a second independence referendum, they have had a huge amount of electoral support in the various elections that take place here, the uk general elections, discussed parliamentary elections, discussed parliamentary elections as well. they are going to face a general election perhaps in the next 12—15 months at the polling isn't looking as good as it has

previously them. suggestions that labour are starting to make inroads and that labour could gain as many as perhaps 15 seats back in scotland from a low of one mp at the moment. so the snp are in a tricky political position, they are trying to reset, they are trying to inject some dynamism into their policies, jettison some of the more unpopular ones or at least pack them for a while, things like the deposit return scheme. but of course, all of this, these attempts by humza yousaf to press the reset button are overshadowed by this ongoing investigation, these arrests of senior figures investigation, these arrests of seniorfigures in investigation, these arrests of senior figures in the investigation, these arrests of seniorfigures in the party investigation, these arrests of senior figures in the party and today the arrest of the former first minister, his predecessor, nicola sturgeon. i’m minister, his predecessor, nicola sturueon. �* , ., minister, his predecessor, nicola sturueon. , ., ., sturgeon. i'm 'ust looking at a statement — sturgeon. i'm just looking at a statement here _ sturgeon. i'm just looking at a statement here from - sturgeon. i'm just looking at a statement here from scottish | sturgeon. i'm just looking at a - statement here from scottish labour. it says this is a deeply concerning development in the police scotland investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference stop for too long a sculpture of secrecy and cover—up has been allowed to

fester at the heart of the snp, the same culture that leads to police tents in front gardens, created the deep dive deeply dysfunctional government that is currently failing scots. humza yousaf has to urgently come clean on what he knows. the people of scotland deserve answers. that is it a statement from scottish labour. reading some of the points we have already discussed, but really highlighting how this is going to be... whether anyone likes it or not, a big political issue in scotland. �* ., ., scotland. and we also heard statements _ scotland. and we also heard statements from _ scotland. and we also heard statements from the - scotland. and we also heard| statements from the scottish conservatives in the last few minutes, they say this extremely serious matter is continuing to escalate. this is what they say in a statement and that the result is that the snp are totally distracted at the worst possible time. they do want to say that this is the time they should be focused on the real priorities facing the people of scotland, such as the cost of living crisis, fixing the nhs and a strengthening the economy. you would expect these kind of comments from

opposition parties when the party of government is facing a tricky situation. but it is piling on of the pressure, at a time when the snp is struggling with some policies, trying to move them to one side and now this very significant news that nicola sturgeon is being questioned by police in relation to the funding of the finances of the party. of course, that investigation began almost two years ago, when complaints were made relating to more than £600,000 donated to the snp by activists, funds that were meant to be ring fenced for a future referendum campaign. so operation operation branchform is examining the money that was donated to the snp. important to emphasise, nobody has been charged, but it is a big police investigation, it is ongoing

and that the most significant arrested so far in this investigation, announced this afternoon, with the arrest of nicola sturgeon. afternoon, with the arrest of nicola sturteon. ,, ., , sturgeon. quite right and 'ust earlier this i sturgeon. quite right and 'ust earlier this morning, i sturgeon. quite right andjust earlier this morning, humza l sturgeon. quite right and just i earlier this morning, humza yousaf called nicola sturgeon arguably one of the best politicians most impressive politicians in europe has seen over the last couple of decades. that is exactly why this is getting so much attention, isn't it? she was the medical, a political operator. when she took over from alex salmond back in 2014 she was described as a rock star politician. she went on a tour around scotland, fill stadiums with supporters. remember, that referendum trips abroad from independence from 33%, but it was bubbling along at 33% to 45%. alex salmond and his deputy, nicola sturgeon, created a campaign

along with a wider yes movement, that really pushed this idea, got a lot of people to believe in it and even though they failed with their campaign to make scotland an independent country, she was a very popular politician at the time. thousands of people turned up to hear her speak, she is also a formidable communicator, you saw that perhaps best during covid, she had those daily press briefings, her critics would argue that while she was a great communicator, perhaps the policy didn't back it up. certainly, since she has left the government, many of her policies or some of her policies, hummus profile ones, have encountered difficulties or been pushed to the side, the deposit return scheme has been delayed, the gender recognition reform bill is going to be fought in the courts with the uk government.

some of the most high—profile policies she had haven't been successful and perhaps the most high—profile were novel was her wish, her demands for a second independence referendum. that hasn't happened either. so great communicator, familial politician, but critics would argue that was more about style rather than substance. —— mike formidable politician. but everyone knows her name, everyone knows what she looks like she is a huge figure in scottish politics and today she has been arrested. what i stay around for us. let's now speak to economist for us. let's now speak to economist for the national and an independence campaign. thank you forjoining us. i will ask you for your reaction for this news? it i will ask you for your reaction for this news?— i will ask you for your reaction for this news? , ., �* ., , this news? it strange, i'm not sure if ou can this news? it strange, i'm not sure if you can see _ this news? it strange, i'm not sure if you can see and _ this news? it strange, i'm not sure

if you can see and hear, _ if you can see and hear, weather—wise, it is very unusual summer weather in scotland, it has just broken any pretty spectacular way. so i suppose that actually this political event kind of mirrors that. there was regulation obviously that. there was regulation obviously that a husband and chief executive was arrested and colin beattie, the said signatory on the accounts that was the point at issue in the manner of spending £600,000 that was collected for the purposes of another independence referendum, the said signatory on that account was negligent. so this regulation was that she would be the next person to be arrested and then there was a very peculiar long period, two months, when nothing happened. so scottish law is a very particular about contempt of court, so it is not possible to spec in it at all about what this now means or anything like that. but, for sure, i think everybody is pretty shocked that this has moved to such a stage.

but really, the shock has already been built in with those initial arrests, with her resignation, with moving on, with a leadership competition, with a new leader and with the beginning of a new era. so not to say that nicola sturgeon is too big a figure that, but the whole independence movement has had to move on and so has the snp government. there are still the latest poll, 53% support for scottish independence, so the idea that everyone is gone when nicola sturgeon is gone, that is not the way people feel at all. find sturgeon is gone, that is not the way people feel at all.— sturgeon is gone, that is not the way people feel at all. and that is not ttoin way people feel at all. and that is not going to _ way people feel at all. and that is not going to be — way people feel at all. and that is not going to be easy _ way people feel at all. and that is not going to be easy at _ way people feel at all. and that is not going to be easy at all, i way people feel at all. and that is not going to be easy at all, is i way people feel at all. and that is not going to be easy at all, is it? | not going to be easy at all, is it? moving past someone who has been such a prominent figure in scottish politics. it such a prominent figure in scottish tolitics. , �* ., , such a prominent figure in scottish tolitics. , �* ., _ , politics. it isn't easy, but nothing that is involved _ politics. it isn't easy, but nothing that is involved in _ politics. it isn't easy, but nothing that is involved in scottish - that is involved in scottish independence is easy and yet it doesn't dog people from continuing to have that as a goal. when alex salmond stood down after 2014, there were many who thought that nicola sturgeon couldn't possibly follow

him. these have been two of the most accomplished politicians in british history, never mind scottish. so they will have to be regrouping and they will have to be regrouping and the party will have to take and recognise whatever comes out of this. forthe recognise whatever comes out of this. for the moment, recognise whatever comes out of this. forthe moment, it's recognise whatever comes out of this. for the moment, it's not at all clear, it's not the vinegar most people that the snp is over, or the independence movement is of a. i independence movement is of a. i willjust put to you from scottish labour who said that the jewel of a culture of secrecy and cover—up has been allowed to fester in the snp, the same thing that allows police tends to appear in front gardens. that is the view from scottish labour that this is an inherent problem within the snp. to be honest, that _ problem within the snp. to be honest, that actually - problem within the snp. to be honest, that actually does i problem within the snp. to be i honest, that actually does really rather interfere with what is now police investigation, there is nobody that can apportion a suspicion, motive or anything else once arrest has been made full stop so that is a bit out of order.

perfectly all right for political opponents to take that risk. most of those who are commentators will not be doing that. but we don't know, because this is the point, nobody knows how much there is a big cover of going on, whether money that was raised is essentially being used for the business of promoting independence by the snp for what happened. there is nobody that is clear yet about the scale of anything. humza yousaf cannot come clean, as it were, in the raising of the scottish labour party, because that too would also be contempt of court. so i am sorry it is a bit boring for people who now want to know what is really going on, we don't know and we want to know until there has been charges levied and there has been charges levied and there hasn't been any yet. so that it where we are.— there hasn't been any yet. so that it where we are. what people were able to clearly _ it where we are. what people were able to clearly see _ it where we are. what people were able to clearly see was _ it where we are. what people were able to clearly see was a _ it where we are. what people were able to clearly see was a lot - it where we are. what people were able to clearly see was a lot of i it where we are. what people were able to clearly see was a lot of the | able to clearly see was a lot of the imagery that has come with his investigation, the tense in the garden, that sort of thing. that

does create an atmosphere where people really are wondering what is going on, if that is an actual thing. it going on, if that is an actual thint. , , ., , thing. it is, but that is where we all are, thing. it is, but that is where we all are. we _ thing. it is, but that is where we all are, we are _ thing. it is, but that is where we all are, we are wondering - thing. it is, but that is where we all are, we are wondering what i thing. it is, but that is where we | all are, we are wondering what is going on. the point is only that we just cannot get further than that, until there has been a proper process will stop yes, there are many people who felt that the police efforts in the gardens of the peter merrill and nicola sturgeon household seemed a bit over—the—top for what was likely to have it be,. “ p for what was likely to have it be,. —— p tomorrow. even you cannot really comment on that. the main thing is that westminster has been particularly present with allegations of sleaze and corruption and that scotland has relatively been pretty immune from that. so i think that the shock that the party that seemed to be a bit about that now finds itself having to face questions and with arrests, which is dramatic, absolutely, it has come as a shock to beagle. but —— there we

are and it is a shock to people. very good to have you. we are covering the breaking news that nicola sturgeon has been arrested by police, investigating allegations of financial misconduct by the scottish national party. you remember that nicola sturgeon quit as first minister and snp leader in early april and she is the third person to be arrested as part of operation branchform, which is the operation scotland police investigation into investigations into £600,000 being alleged to have been misspent. this is beatings. live from london. this is bbc news. the former first minster of scotland, nicola sturgeon, has been arrested as part of a police investigation

into the finances of the scottish national party.