Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she has not spoken to the police again following her arrest and release earlier this year – as she denies she is overshadowing the SNP’s current leader at the party’s conference.
Ms Sturgeon arrived in Aberdeen on the second day of her party’s annual conference, with the media informed in advance and her descending a flight of stairs on to the conference floor to the whoops, cheers and applause of party activists.
She was also greeted by a standing ovation as the afternoon’s speeches began, as well as a video tribute and a second ovation.
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But Ms Sturgeon told journalists that she doesn’t think there’s “any doubt” her successor – Humza Yousaf – is in charge, and that she has been “watching from afar”.
Asked if she has spoken to police again since her arrest and release in June, she said “no”.
Ms Sturgeon was detained and questioned in June this year as part of a police investigation into the SNP‘s finances. She was let go without being charged later the same day.
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Her husband, and former SNP chairman Peter Murrell, was also arrested, questioned and then released.
This year’s conference in The Event Complex Aberdeen – TECA – is Mr Yousaf’s first as party leader and also first minister.
On Sunday, Mr Humza encouraged his party to vote against using the next general election as a de facto referendum on independence – a strategy which had been championed by his predecessor.
Instead, the party agreed that if they win a majority of Scottish seats in Westminster, they will use this as a mandate to begin negotiations on how Scotland can declare itself independent. Most speakers said they believe the next government will be Labour-led.
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Ms Sturgeon said part of her intention in resigning was “that the party took the time to consider the way forward”.
She stood down after her attempts to call another referendum on Scottish independence were stopped by the courts.
Asked if she supported Mr Yousaf – branded as a continuity Sturgeon candidate during the leadership race – Ms Sturgeon said: “You know that I think Humza is doing a fantastic job as leader of the party and as first minister.”
Ms Sturgeon has been seen in public very rarely since she departed as first minister and party leader in March.
Her party’s recent loss in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election was also put to Ms Sturgeon – including whether her arrest had played a part in voters’ decisions.
She said: “Look, I am no longer the leader of the SNP. Humza is more than capable of speaking for himself.
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“I am a leader, but I think it’s fair to say I was a leader with a fair amount of electoral success under my belt.
“I look forward to supporting the SNP’s future electoral success in a very different capacity.”
