Nicola Sturgeon speaks for first time since police arrested her as part of SNP investigation

Sturgeon spent nearly seven hours in custody after being arrested on Sunday June 11, before she was released without charge pending further investigation.

She is the third high-profile SNP member to be arrested by Police Scotland in the force’s investigation into what happened to £600,000 raised by the party for independence campaigning.

Her husband Peter Murrell, who is the party’s former chief executive, and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were both arrested and released without charge earlier in the year.

Sturgeon said: “I respect and fully understand the process that is under way. I am absolutely certain that I have done nothing wrong.”

She added: “It’s not been the best period in my life. It’s not an easy period. I’m not saying that for sympathy…The thing that sustains me right now is the certainty that I have done nothing wrong.

“It is a belief and a certainty that I have.”

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf faced calls from opposition parties and some SNP parliamentarians to suspend Sturgeon from the party but has refused to do so, instead saying he believes in “natural justice”.

Questioned on whether she should stand down from the SNP, the former SNP leader said she will always consider what is best for the party she has “given her life to”.

She added: “The SNP has been my life and that’s been something that has been voluntary and something that I cherish.”

Sturgeon also highlighted previous comments that the SNP is her extended family, adding: “That’s the depth of love, affection and concern I have for the SNP.”

Yousaf has previously said he “sees no reason” to suspend his predecessor from the SNP.

“I will do what I believe is right to the values of natural justice,” he told the BBC.

“NicolaSturgeon, like Colin Beattie, like Peter Murrell, was released without charge.

“Therefore, I see no reason for their membership to be suspended.”