Sunak’s comments during a conference speech on Sturgeon’s questioning by police amidst SNP finance probe draws ire and a formal police report.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has found himself reported to Police Scotland following remarks he made about the former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a conference speech. Sunak, shedding a humorous light on Sturgeon’s prior police questioning, remarked on her ambition to be remembered as a separatist leader, jesting that her legacy might now be overshadowed by financial controversies instead.
In his speech, Sunak stated, “Nicola Sturgeon wanted to go down in the history books as the woman who broke up our country but it now looks like she may go down for very different reasons.” He continued to highlight the unique blend of four nations forming the UK, and urged for confidence in the country’s future based on its rich history.
This year saw Sturgeon, along with other Scottish National Party (SNP) officials, being interrogated as part of Police Scotland’s Operation Branchform, scrutinising SNP’s financial management, especially concerning funds raised for a second independence referendum. The investigation led to the arrest and subsequent release without charge of Sturgeon, illustrating the high stakes and contentious political backdrop in Scotland.
Sunak’s remarks were not taken lightly by Chris McEleny, the general secretary of the Alba Party, who formally reported the Prime Minister to the police. McEleny stressed that Sunak’s comments could interfere with the ongoing investigation, arguing that such matters of significant import to Scotland and political trust should be handled without external influence. He emphasised, “It is too important a matter to allow interference from the Prime Minister in this act of contempt when many people await the facts of Police Scotland’s investigation.”
The Prime Minister’s comments, perceived as meddling in a sensitive and ongoing investigation, rekindle the discourse on the turbulent political landscape in Scotland, further stirring the pot in the ongoing narrative of independence, party finances, and the bounds of political commentary. Source
Haven’t they got nothing better to do we all know alba like sturgeon want Scotland to leave the UK when he said she was going down he never referred to the court case it’s just let’s have another go at the tories