Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to release a written statement she provided to police, following reports that detectives investigating the Scottish National Party's finances expressed frustration with some of her responses. The statement was given as part of the probe that led to her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, being jailed for over five years for embezzling more than £400,000.
Reports indicate that detectives were frustrated by Sturgeon's decision to give a "no comment" interview to Police Scotland. While she subsequently provided a written statement, it is understood that the document did not address all the points raised by investigators, leaving them with further questions.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton stated that there is "nothing stopping Sturgeon publishing that statement, so she should do so immediately." Hamilton added that if Sturgeon fails to release the statement, she would be "fuelling" suspicion and innuendo surrounding her. Hamilton suggested that a parliamentary inquiry into the scandal should address issues such as what Sturgeon knew, what she told the police, and why she was not charged.
Sturgeon has maintained that she fully cooperated with the police investigation. Senior officers, however, reportedly privately raised concerns about her approach to inquiries. These concerns included skepticism regarding her claim of having no "conscious memory" of a £124,000 motorhome, purchased with stolen funds by Murrell, being present at her mother-in-law's home in Fife.
Police Scotland and the Crown Office have indicated they have no objections to Sturgeon publishing her written statement. While a suspect has the right to refuse to answer questions, Sturgeon has faced criticism for not responding to detectives' inquiries regarding her husband's alleged embezzlement.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie commented that Sturgeon "appears to have sat in silence for hours during her interview with police, providing no comment. This is clearly not full co-operation." Baillie urged the former SNP leader to "do the right thing" and publish her statement to ensure "full transparency around this murky affair."
Sturgeon was arrested in February 2023 as part of Operation Branchform, the investigation into SNP finances, after she had stepped down as First Minister. She has not faced any charges. She has also stated that the assertion of her not fully cooperating with the police is untrue.
Sturgeon's lawyer, Aamer Anwar, did not respond to inquiries regarding the potential release of the written statement. The SNP also declined to comment on the matter.