The former first minister addressed the press at her first Scottish Parliament appearance since her spouse’s detention.
Nicola Sturgeon said she could not have envisaged “in her worst nightmares” the SNP’s present scandal.
The former first minister of Scotland refused to comment on the removal of a £100,000 campervan from in front of her mother-in-law’s residence and denied that the police investigation prompted her resignation.
Ms. Sturgeon, speaking to journalists at Holyrood, stated, “I appreciate the view that some people may have, that I knew this was all about to unfold, and that is why I resigned.
“This is the furthest thing from the truth.
“Even in my worst nightmares, I could not have predicted the events of the past few weeks.”
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP and the spouse of Ms. Sturgeon, was arrested and released without charge earlier this month as part of an investigation into the party’s funding and finances.
MSP Colin Beattie, who resigned as party treasurer last week, was arrested and released without charge.
A long-running investigation into the expenditure of approximately £600,000 raised by supporters for Scottish independence campaigning.
It is believed that there have been complaints that the restricted funds were improperly spent elsewhere.
The residence of Mr. Murrell and Ms. Sturgeon in Glasgow was searched as part of the investigation. Officers were also observed removing crates from the SNP’s Edinburgh headquarters.
The political party stated that it has “fully cooperated” with the investigation and will “continue to do so.”
In her first appearance at the Scottish Parliament since her husband’s arrest, Ms. Sturgeon stated that she has not been questioned by police regarding the investigation and declined to comment on the campervan seized from outside her mother-in-law’s home in Dunfermline.
“I will state upfront that I will not disclose any information that could compromise an active police investigation,” she said.
“I hope to address many queries soon. But it would be improper and inappropriate for me to discuss the details of the police investigation at this time.”
She added, “Clearly, the events of the past few weeks have been difficult. And I use this term deliberately and consciously – and, in some ways, quite traumatic.
“However, I accept that this is the nature of the current process.”
Mr. Beattie stated earlier on Tuesday that he was unaware of the party’s purchase of the opulent motorhome.
He responded, “No, I was unaware of it.”
First Minister Humza Yousaf said the SNP owned the high-tech car on the police seizure warrant manifest.
The party’s auditors resigned last year and have yet to be replaced. If the SNP Westminster group fails to submit audited accounts by May 31, it risks losing £1.2 million in short money from Westminster authorities.
Ms. Sturgeon, who has been working from home since her husband’s arrest, stated that “now is not the easiest time”.
Nevertheless, she added, “I believe the SNP is in good shape, despite the current challenges facing the party, and I believe Humza [Yousaf] will lead it to even greater heights.”
