Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested in the police investigation into the SNP's finances.

Police Scotland said she is in custody and is being questioned by detectives.

A police spokesperson said: "A 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday, June 11, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party."

The former first minister is the latest person to be quizzed by police as part of Operation Branchform, where the party's accounts are being probed following complaints by independence activists who alleged there was around £500,000, raised in a crowdfunder, that was unaccounted for.

A spokesperson for Nicola Sturgeon, said: "Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11th June, by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform.

"Nicola has consistently said she would co-operate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so."

Peter Murrell,  the former SNP chief executive, and Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, was arrested in April.

Colin Beattie, former SNP treasurer, was also arrested and both were released without charge pending further inquiry.

Police searched Mr Murrell’s home in Glasgow, which he shares with Nicola Sturgeon over a number of days, and other properties including SNP HQ in Edinburgh.

Following the arrest there have been calls for the SNP leader and Sturgeon's successor, Humza Yousaf to suspend the former first minister from the party.

Sturgeon stood down as first minister earlier this year but remains an SNP MSP for Glasgow Southside.

Craig Hoy, Scottish Conservative Chairman, said: “Nicola Sturgeon and other senior SNP figures – including Humza Yousaf – must cooperate fully with this police investigation and commit to full transparency surrounding it.

“The SNP continue to be engulfed in murkiness and chaos. Humza Yousaf must now show some leadership and suspend his predecessor from the SNP.

“The SNP set that precedent when politicians such as Michelle Thomson and Natalie McGarry were under investigation and must do so again here."

Ian Murray Labour shadow Scottish secretary said: “Humza Yousaf must urgently come clean on what he knows - the people of Scotland deserve answers.” 

An SNP spokesperson said: "These issues are subject to a live police investigation.

"The SNP have been cooperating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so however it is not appropriate to publicly address any issues while that investigation is ongoing."