Rishi Sunak reported to Police Scotland following comment about Nicola Sturgeon

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been reported to the police following a comment he made about Nicola Sturgeon during his conference speech.

Sunak made a joke about the former first minster who was arrested and later released without charge earlier this year as part of a Police Scotland investigation into the SNP’s finances.

Now Chris McEleny, general secretary of the pro-independence Alba party, has reported Sunak to the police for contempt of court for commenting on an active criminal case.

The prime minister was talking about the strength of the Union during the section of his speech in which he referenced Sturgeon, telling delegates in Manchester that the “forces of separatism are in retreat across our country”.

McEleny said:  “The prime minister is commenting on, and making an assumption about a live Police Scotland investigation.

“In Scotland contempt applies from arrest, not from charging. Operation Branchform is investigating serious matters of the utmost importance to Scotland and trust in politics.

“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.”

Both Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell, were arrested and later released without charge earlier this year as part of the Operation Branchform investigation.

Following her arrest, Sturgeon said she was innocent of any wrongdoing.

Police Scotland confirmed it had received a complaint about Sunak's comments but said no action would be taken.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received a complaint and, following consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, no police action is being taken at this time.”