SNP sends flowers to Nicola Sturgeon as Humza Yousaf hails her 'the most impressive politician in Europe'

He has faced calls to axe her from the party after Sturgeon was arrested by Police Scotland during its Operation Branchform investigation into SNP funding and finances.

Yousaf's deputy Keith Brown also confirmed SNP MSPs agreed at their meeting earlier today to send flowers to the former First Minister.

Speaking to journalists, Yousaf said: “Nicola Sturgeon is the most impressive politician I think we’ve seen in Europe and she’s an asset to our movement and our party.

“Obviously, it’s a difficult time, a very, very difficult time for her, a difficult time for our party and personally painful to many of us too.”

The 38-year-old, who served as Sturgeon’s Health Secretary before becoming First Minister, added: “The reason I’m doing it [not suspending Sturgeon] is because I believe in natural justice, I believe in due process. She was released, of course.”

Scotland’s longest-serving First Minister was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into SNP funding and finances on Sunday morning.

The 52-year-old was questioned by detectives and released from custody shortly after 5pm.

Following her release without charge pending further investigations, Sturgeon issued a statement saying: “I know beyond doubt that I am innocent of any wrongdoing.”

She added: "To find myself in the situation I did today when I am certain I have committed no offence is both a shock and deeply distressing.

"I know that this ongoing investigation is difficult for people, and I am grateful that so many continue to show faith in me and appreciate that I would never do anything to harm either the SNP or the country."

Several politicians have put pressure on Yousaf to suspend Sturgeon, including SNP MP Angus MacNeil.

MacNeil, who represents constituents in the Outer Hebrides in Westminster, said: “This soap-opera has gone far enough, Nicola Sturgeon suspended others from the SNP for an awful lot less!”

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy added: “Humza Yousaf must now show some leadership and suspend his predecessor from the SNP.”

A report will soon be sent by Police Scotland to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Officers north of the border have been investigating what happened to around £660,000 of donations given to the SNP by independence activists for use in a second referendum campaign.

Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, 58, who previously served as SNP chief executive, was arrested in April when officers searched the couple’s Glasgow home.

SNP treasurer Colin Beattie, 71, was also subsequently arrested.

Both men were released pending further investigations but Beattie soon resigned as treasurer.