Nicola Sturgeon - the former leader of Scotland - has been arrested as part of the police investigation into her political party's finances.

The former first minister is being held in custody as she is quizzed by detectives.

"A 52-year-old woman has today, ​Sunday, 11 June, 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party. The woman is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives," Scotland police said.

A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon confirmed she was cooperating with the investigation. He said:

“Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11 June, by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform.

“Nicola has consistently said she would cooperate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so.”

As The Daily Mail reports, her arrest comes after the arrest of her husband, Peter Murrell - the SNP's former chief executive - in April, just prior to a two-day police search of the couple's Glasgow home; and the party's former treasury Colin Beattie.

How we got here...

The Scottish Tories demanded Ms Sturgeon's successor, Humza Yousaf, suspend her from the SNP following her arrest.

Labour's shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said:

"For too long, a culture of secrecy and cover-up has been allowed to fester at the heart of the SNP."

She was Scotland's longest-serving first minister, before resigning in February, and the only woman to have held the position.