CIVIL war broke out in the SNP yesterday over calls for Nicola Sturgeon to quit the party after she was arrested.
First Minister Humza Yousaf refused to bow to demands after Nationalist MSPs Ash Regan and Michelle Thomson said the former leader should resign.
Sturgeon was questioned, and released without charge, on Sunday during a police investigation into how £600,000 of IndyRef2 donations were spent.
Former party treasurer Colin Beattie and Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, who used to be the SNP's CEO, were also arrested, and released without charge, in April.
During a visit to Inverness, Yousaf declared he saw "no reason" to suspend his predecessor, saying: "I'll not suspend Nicola's membership. I'll treat her in the same way I've treated, for example, Colin Beattie.
"Those that have been released without charge I see no reason to suspend their membership."
Asked if Sturgeon should resign the whip, Yousaf added: "There's no pressure on her to do so from the party or from me as leader of the SNP.
"She has been released without charge and I think it is so important that presumption of innocence is upheld."
Yousaf also spoke about how the arrest had impacted him by saying it was "personally quite painful".
Denne historien er fra June 13, 2023-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 13, 2023-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CLOSE LOOK
Boss Bren will have old target Ademola in his sights yet again
NO PLACE LIKE ROME BALLE
Captain Callum channels spirit of 2019 as he plots another Euro glory night for Bhoys on Italian soil
We kept foot on Gas.. Celts should do the same
La Dea gaffer knows what it's like to suffer Champs League beatings but urges Rodgers to never change side's style
Butt of luck
Gunners edge to win after Martinelli strike goes in off keeper's backside
IT COULD BE CUE!
Snooker's new Golden Ball will now be worth $1million
GET ON TOUR BUS BOYS
Rory urges Warriors stars to aim for British Lions spot
I had to choose who to save.. it's unbearable still
Field worker recalls horror of 1984 famine in Ethiopia
My pal Walter made special me feel
McCoist hails impact of mentor Smith
Toony rallying call to wear poppies and change lives
SCOTLAND rugby coach Gregor Townsend has urged people to show they care by wearing a poppy.
PUTIN PORT ATTACKS DELAYING VITAL AID
PM: Russia risks starving millions by hitting ships