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Former leader questioned by police 'inevitable', say party figures reeling from treasurer's arrest Senior SNP officials fear former leader Nicola Sturgeon could be the next figure to be arrested in Police Scotland's investigation into the party's finances. The SNP has been rocked by the arrests of former chief executive Peter Murrell and current treasurer Colin Beattie, who were later released without charge pending further investigation.
Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell and Mr Beattie were named in financial information presented at the SNP conference last year, the source said, but added that police would want to "cover their bases" before any arrests are made. .
Police Scotland arrested Beattie, who is also an MSP, on Tuesday in connection with their investigation into the use of more than £660,000 in donations, earmarked for an independence referendum.
Some MPs and party MPs also said it was "inevitable" that Sturgeon would be questioned by police on bail in the coming weeks.
One SNP politician told The Times: 'Nicola has to be interviewed next, it's inevitable', and another said: 'Obviously there is a list and Nicola's name is on it.'
A third told the newspaper: “They interviewed witnesses, and now they are on suspects. They were the little ones and now they are the big ones: this is how the police work.
SNP leader Humza Yousaf, who was recently elected to replace Ms Sturgeon, is facing calls to suspend the former party leader's membership, as well as that of her husband and Mr Beattie.
Following Beattie's arrest on Tuesday, Yousaf said he "did not believe" the party was acting criminally and resisted calls to suspend Beattie from his position as treasurer.
Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf
Yousaf said he wanted to discuss "relevant matters" with Beattie, who was released without charge last night pending further investigation, saying: "People are innocent until proven guilty."
Kate Forbes, one of the two defeated leading candidates, said Yousaf needed to take "swift and decisive action" or the party would be in trouble at the next general election.
She told BBC Radio 4 that the claims about the party's finances were "mind-boggling", adding that "people are looking on in amazement, but they want to see leadership to deal with it and sort it out."
She said: 'I think we need decisive and quick action or else we will be in trouble... We may have the next election early next year. They will vote in this election based on how we have dealt with our internal problems.
Kate Forbes (right) called on Yousaf to take "decisive" action
His fellow leadership candidate, Ash Regan, appeared to go further, telling the BBC that all SNP members 'involved' in the police investigation should be suspended, though he said they should be given credit for "wrongdoing".
Police Scotland detectives investigating party finances received emails showing that Sturgeon had quashed the idea of appointing a fundraising officer in June 2021, according to the Scottish Sunday Mail.
The newspaper also published a video showing Ms Sturgeon giving SNP National Executive Committee officials a stern warning asking them to be "very careful", suggesting there were "problems" with the party's accounts.
Craig Hoy, chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, said: "[Yousaf] must show leadership and suspend Colin Beattie, along with Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon."
The Conservative chairman added: "Colin Beattie should also resign from the public audit committee until the inquiry is concluded."
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Nicola Sturgeon, former leader of the SNP
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