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Sturgeon Will Not Publish Police Interview or Written Statement

Her lawyer says the 'gold-plated' Branchform inquiry cleared her and that there is no reason to release the documents.

Overview

  • Her lawyer Aamer Anwar confirmed Monday that neither the recorded police interview nor the written statement Nicola Sturgeon gave will be made public.
  • The announcement follows the June conviction and jailing of Peter Murrell for embezzling more than £400,000 while he was SNP chief executive.
  • Sturgeon was arrested and questioned in June 2023 under Operation Branchform, when she gave a 'no comment' interview and later provided a written statement to detectives.
  • Opponents from Scottish Labour and the Conservatives have renewed demands for publication, noting Sturgeon previously said she would not oppose releasing her statement and arguing transparency is needed.
  • Some reporting says Police Scotland and the Crown Office raised no formal objection to publication, keeping pressure on Sturgeon and prolonging public scrutiny of the SNP finance probe.