The First Minister’s sister has told how she was made to feel “like a criminal” after charges were dropped against her following an alleged domestic incident earlier this month.

Gillian Sturgeon, from Irvine, was arrested on Wednesday, August 11 in connection with an alleged domestic incident at a Kilwinning home on Saturday, August 7, when police previously arrested Steven Waite, aged 50.

However the Times was told prosecutors are now dropping the charges against both accused – with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirming the case itself remains live with the decision open to review.

Speaking exclusively to the Times, the 46-year-old said she was made to feel like a criminal after being arrested over the alleged incident she had reported.

She maintains she had not done anything that warranted a charge.

Gill said: “When I found out I was getting charged myself I was shocked.

“I was told the reason I was being charged was because it was high profile just because of who my sister is – they said that a few times – and had to watch what they were doing.

“I wasn’t treated very nice, one of them treated me like a criminal.

“I asked why I was being charged and was told because you committed a crime.

“Everyone has been great and very supportive. I am relieved that my charges have been dropped – but also not relieved as I feel I didn’t do anything for them to be made in the first place.

“I will continue to work with and help others to have a voice and to watch for the red flags that I now know I was blinded to.”

A spokesperson for the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “This matter remains live for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

“In order to protect any future proceedings and to preserve the rights of the complainers, the Crown will not comment at this

stage.”

Gill hit national headlines earlier this month when she was accused of flouting Covid regulations after a snap of her sitting on a train without a mask was shared.

It is currently mandatory to wear face coverings when on public transport unless you have a medical reason not to.

But Gill, who had shared the pic on her own social media page, defended the move saying she only did it because she was eating a sandwich

She posted saying she “did nothing wrong”, adding: “I was on a train. Sitting down eating a sandwich.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 50-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with an incident that took place within a house in Kilwinning on Saturday, 7 August.

“He was released on an undertaking to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court at a later date. A full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

“On Wednesday, August 11, a 46-year-old woman was arrested and charged following a report made on Tuesday, August 10 regarding an incident that took place within a house in Kilwinning on Saturday, August 7.

“She has been released on an undertaking to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court at a later date. A full report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”

Both complainers have the right to a review of a fiscal’s decision.

The Victim’s Right to Review is carried out by a prosecutor who had no prior involvement with the case. If that does not happen, or the review is rejected, then the cases will be binned permanently.

Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 - in an emergency always dial 999.