Nicola Sturgeon has been released by police after being arrested as part of their investigation into the SNP’s finances.
Scotland’s former first minister was questioned for seven hours by detectives investigating the whereabouts of £660,000 donated to the party for a second independence referendum campaign.
She was released without charge pending further investigations.
Sturgeon’s husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, and the party’s treasurer, Colin Beattie, have previously been arrested as part of the probe, known as Operation Branchform.
In a statement, Police Scotland said: “A 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday, June 11, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.”
A spokeswoman for Sturgeon said: “By arrangement with Police Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform.
“Nicola has consistently said she would co-operate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so.”
Police Scotland are investigating claims that the donations from activists to support the campaign for a second independence referendum were used for other purposes.
The inquiry was launched following allegations that the money, which was meant to be in a ring-fenced fund, had been misappropriated.
An SNP spokesperson said: “These issues are subject to a live police investigation.
“The SNP have been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so, however it is not appropriate to publicly address any issues while that investigation is ongoing.”
Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray saying: “This is a deeply concerning development and the Police Scotland investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference.
“For too long, a culture of secrecy and cover-up has been allowed to fester at the heart of the SNP.”