It is one of the most surreal scenes to witness. Detectives continue to swarm the home of Nicola Sturgeon, who was Scotland’s first minister just a few days ago. 

Squads of officers are bagging and removing items inside an evidence tent on the front lawn.

These are images, plastered on websites and front pages worldwide, that will replay and haunt Scotland’s biggest political operation for a long time.

Sturgeon pulls out of event after husband’s arrest – live politics updates

The new SNP leader, Humza Yousaf, described the drama as a “difficult” period for the party.

The optics of the activity are painful for Ms Sturgeon’s successor who is attempting to rebuild the SNP after the bruising leadership battle.

Detectives may have released Peter Murrell without charge but now the painstaking police work begins.

Each and every box and crate removed from the political power couple’s house is being examined.

They are sifting through the evidence before prosecutors decide what, if anything, comes next.

Read more:
What we know so far about Peter Murrell and SNP investigation
Sturgeon pulls out of climate change event

Constant camera flashes could be seen from inside the garage as officers comb through the garden and ruffle through the upstairs bedrooms.

Not forgetting this is the home of one of the UK’s most prominent and recognisable political figures.

Ms Sturgeon has pulled out of a UN climate appearance in Edinburgh on Thursday night.

This is significant as she rarely cancels scheduled events.

A sign, perhaps, that her personal life risked overshadowing the substance of the evening.

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