Nicola Sturgeon news today latest: Pressure on ex-SNP leader to quit as she plays down finance fears in video leak

Reports that Nicola Sturgeon plans to retire as an MSP are just “empty speculation,” according to the SNP’s former Westminster leader.

The Daily Telegraph quoted a source within the party as saying she plans to step down “sooner rather than later” amid a controversy over the party’s finances that led to her husband – and the party’s former chief executive – being fired from the Police arrested and was subsequently released without charge.

Speaking to the BBC, Ian Blackford said: “I think what you have seen is idle speculation taking place.

“I speak to my colleague Nicola very regularly and I can tell you that she is focused on serving the interests of her constituents.”

Asked if it turned out to be a distraction, Mr Blackford dismissed the idea, adding: “I think history will judge us all and history I think will show a woman who has led our country, that got us through the Covid pandemic. that has provided inspirational guidance to all of us over the time she has taken the lead.”

Nicola Sturgeon will not return to the Scottish Parliament this week, The Scotsman has reported, instead the former First Minister will attend virtually.

She has reportedly claimed the decision was made in advance to give way to her successor, Humza Yousaf.

Opposition leaders have accused her of trying to evade scrutiny as she faces questions about her husband’s arrest.

The Sunday Mail published the leaked video on Sunday, in which opposition parties called on new leader Humza Yousaf to suspend them in a move Ian Blackford described as “politicking”.

“Gosh Gracious, absolutely not, there’s no reason for that at all,” Mr Blackford told BBC Radio Scotland on Monday when asked whether the former First Minister should be sanctioned by the SNP.

“I think those are some of our opponents who are playing really politically in that context.”

Nicola Sturgeon should not be suspended by the SNP after a leaked video showed her urging the party’s governing body to be “very cautious” when it comes to proposing financial issues, the party’s former Westminster leader has said.

In the video, Mr Blackford said there was “nothing that was unfavorable in any way”, adding: “What the (former) First Minister was thinking about was the SNP’s ability to behave as an organization and the financial ones To have means to conduct elections and to support its members.”

SNP leader Humza Yousaf is facing calls to suspend his predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, after claims police are investigating attempts to end audits of party finances.

Ms Sturgeon blocked plans to hire a fundraising manager for the party when she was leader and first minister, despite concerns about transparency, leaked emails seemed to show.

Scottish Police investigators investigating the party’s finances have been given emails showing Ms Sturgeon scrapped the idea of ​​a fundraising manager in June 2021, Scotland said Sunday post.

The newspaper also published a video of Ms Sturgeon telling the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) that despite concerns, there were no problems with the accounts.

…to our liveblog, where we’ll keep you up to date with the latest updates as Nicola Sturgeon faces fresh resignation calls following a video leak showing her downplaying her party’s financial woes.