Nicola Sturgeon cancels first major event since quitting as SNP leader after husband arrested
Nicola Sturgeon's husband was arrested by police yesterday
PA
Nicola Sturgeon has cancelled a climate change event taking place today after her husband was arrested in a probe into SNP finances.
The former First Minister had been due to take part in an event at Edinburgh Science Festival but pulled out this morning.
It would have been the first major event featuring Sturgeon since she stepped down as SNP leader last week.
Her last minute withdrawal came just hours after her husband was released without charge following hours of questioning by Police Scotland.
Police remain outside Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell's house
PA
Peter Murrell, who was chief executive of the SNP when his wife was in charge, was arrested as part of an investigation into the party's finances.
Three police vans remained parked outside the Glasgow home of Sturgeon and Murrell on this morning, with two uniformed officers stationed outside.
A large blue tent remains in place in the front garden of the property, which has been screened off with blue police screens.
The house and garden remain cordoned off with police tape.
Peter Murrell was released without charge last night
PA
Confirming Sturgeon would not be at today's event, an Edinburgh Science spokeswoman said: "While Nicola Sturgeon MSP is no longer attending our Climate of Change event, we are thrilled to be welcoming MSP Mairi McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, who will join ambassador Patricia Espinosa for this vital conversation.
"The Edinburgh Science Festival has been proudly programming events such as these which highlight and inspire people of all ages and all backgrounds to action on our climate emergency for many years.
"We look forward to welcoming our audiences to this insightful and inspiring discussion."
Speculation was rife yesterday that Sturgeon may have stood down from her role as First Minister in order to avoid the embarrassment of being in the top job when her husband was arrested.
Peter Murrell's arrest came as part of an investigation into SNP finances
PA
Her resignation came as a shock across the UK with the SNP First Minister having previously indicated she intended to remain in the role for the next general election.
But a spokesperson for the former First Minister said she had "no prior knowledge" of Police Scotland's action or intentions.
Her spokesperson added she had chosen not to attend today's even because she wanted to “keep the focus of the event on the critical issue of the climate emergency”.
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