Nicola Sturgeon’s lawyer defended her decision to answer “no comment” to detectives after her arrest in June 2023 during Operation Branchform, a probe into SNP finances. The lawyer said the approach reflected standard legal advice from a senior solicitor and rejected claims it obstructed the investigation. The lawyer added that Sturgeon later gave a detailed written response to Police Scotland questions. The investigation led to the conviction of Peter Murrell, Sturgeon’s estranged husband, for embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP over 12 years. Murrell admitted spending the money on items including a motorhome, cars, and luxury goods, with some gifts linked to Sturgeon. Sturgeon was arrested two months after Murrell’s initial arrest, questioned, and released without charge after seven hours.
"The Scottish Sun reported on Tuesday that the former first minister "sat in silence for hours" at Falkirk police station following her arrest on 11 June 2023 during Operation Branchform. Sturgeon's solicitor Aamer Anwar said the answer was standard legal advice and rejected claims it hindered the investigation which this week resulted in the conviction of her estranged husband Peter Murrell for embezzlement. Anwar added that Sturgeon had later provided a "detailed written response" to Police Scotland questions."
"Anwar, in a statement to Press Assocation news agency, said Sturgeon reaffirmed her position that she had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that personal items had been purchased using SNP funds. Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, admitted on Monday that he had embezzled more than 400,000 from the party over a 12-year-period. He spent the money on a motorhome, cars and hundreds of other items including jewellery and luxury items, some of which were gifted to Sturgeon."
"Reuters Murrell was first arrested and questioned on 5 April 2023, with Sturgeon arrested two months later in connection with the inquiry. The SNP leader attended a police interview by prior arrangement, was taken into custody, questioned by detectives and released without charge seven hours later. In the days after Murrell's arrest, Sturgeon had said she would "fully co-operate with the police" if they requested an interview. Anwar said her decision to subsequently answer "no comment" to detectives was on the "standard" advice of a senior lawyer."
""In relation to the advice tendered to Ms Sturgeon to make no comment, this was by her solicitor, formerly a very senior crown counsel at Crown Office," he said."
Read at www.bbc.com
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