Nicola Sturgeon has defended her reported decision to give “no comment” answers to police during her arrest as part of an investigation into SNP finances. The former first minister was taken into custody on 11 June 2023 and released without charge later that day.
The Scottish Sun reported that she “sat in silence for hours” during questioning. In a statement issued by her solicitor Aamer Anwar, he said the “no comment” response was standard legal advice given by her lawyer, a former senior Crown counsel. He rejected claims that the move hindered the investigation, calling such suggestions “nonsensical”.
Mr Anwar also criticised Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay for describing the right to silence as a “tactic of organised crime”. He said it was “deeply worrying” that a politician would characterise a fundamental legal right in such a way.
The solicitor noted that Ms Sturgeon later provided a detailed written response to Police Scotland questions. He said that had there been any evidence of criminality, she would have been charged, adding that it was not her role as first minister to sign off party accounts – that responsibility lay with the party treasurer.
