Operation Branchform
{{Short description|Police Scotland investigation into fundraising fraud in the SNP}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Nicola Sturgeon sidebar}}
{{Humza Yousaf sidebar}}
{{John Swinney sidebar}}
Operation Branchform was a Police Scotland investigation into fundraising fraud in the Scottish National Party (SNP) that was launched in July 2021 and concluded in March 2025. The investigation concerned allegations that £666,953 raised by the SNP since 2017 specifically to campaign for independence in a proposed second Scottish independence referendum was in part improperly spent on other activities. Operation Branchform precipitated the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland in 2023, and resulted in the prosecution of Sturgeon's husband and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell for embezzlement in 2025.{{Cite news |last=Macaskill |first=Mark |date=8 May 2022 |title=SNP £600,000 fundraising fraud allegations 'may have substance' |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/snp-600-000-fundraising-fraud-allegations-may-have-substance-fx2msxpp6}}{{Cite news |last=Gordon |first=Tom |date=13 July 2021 |title=Police launch 'fraud' probe into SNP fundraising |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19438528.police-scotland-launch-fraud-probe-snp-fundraising-indyref2/}}{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/peter-murrell-nicola-sturgeon-police-scotland-edinburgh-police-b1217895.html |title=Ex-SNP chief executive in court as Nicola Sturgeon probe dropped |newspaper=Evening Standard |date=20 March 2025}}
Described as "the highest-profile scandal of the Scottish devolution era",{{cite news |last=Leask |first=David |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/how-snp-campervan-scandal-damaged-trust-in-scottish-institutions-0zt9c6f30 |title=How SNP campervan scandal damaged trust in Scottish institutions |newspaper=The Times |date=11 May 2025}} Operation Branchform lasted for nearly four years, covered the tenures of three First Ministers and two Chief Constables of Police Scotland, and ultimately cost over £2.1 million.{{Cite news |last=Nutt |first=Kathleen |date=14 March 2025 |title=Operation Branchform costs soar to over £2.1 million |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25007484.operation-branchform-costs-soar-2-1-million/}} The investigation saw the highly-publicised arrests of Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon, and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie. Media coverage of Operation Branchform and perceived delays in bringing the case to a conclusion led both the SNP's supporters and its opponents to claim that the investigation had been politicised.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/lord-advocate-dorothy-bain-hits-back-at-unacceptable-slur-over-snp-finance-probe-4147060 |title=Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain hits back at 'unacceptable slur' over SNP finance probe |last=Young |first=Alan |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=17 May 2023 |access-date=16 December 2024}}{{Cite news |last=McCall |first=Chris |date=14 June 2023 |title=SNP MSP compares police search of Nicola Sturgeon property to 'Fred West's house' |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-msp-compares-police-search-30234475}}{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Andrew |date=26 September 2024 |title=SNP Edinburgh Council candidate claimed Operation Branchform is a conspiracy |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-edinburgh-council-candidate-claimed-33757072}}{{cite news |last=Hutcheon |first=Paul |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/ex-snp-media-chief-compares-29884587 |title=Ex SNP media chief compares 'grotesque' police probe to Rangers prosecution shambles |work=Daily Record |date=4 May 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Learmonth |first=Andrew |date=27 November 2023 |title=Operation Branchform: Lawyers in 'cover-up' claim over lack of action |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23950029.operation-branchform-lawyers-cover-up-claim-lack-action}} In March 2025, Police Scotland concluded their investigations into Sturgeon and Beattie, with no charges being filed against them. Murrell was charged with embezzlement and appeared in court for the first time on 20 March 2025.{{Cite news |last=Cochrane |first=Angus |date=20 March 2025 |title=Sturgeon will not face further investigation over SNP finances |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y2z4qq6zzo}}
Background
= SNP fundraising, 2017–2019 =
Fundraising for a proposed second Scottish independence referendum by the Scottish National Party began in 2017 and, after the snap general election of that year, the fundraising effort was closed down.{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Jamie |date=13 June 2017 |title=The SNP's Fundraiser For Indyref2 Has Been Mysteriously Closed Down |work=BuzzFeed News |url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/jamieross/the-snps-fundraiser-for-indyref2-has-been-mysteriously/}} Labour Party Member of the Scottish Parliament James Kelly asked the Electoral Commission to investigate whether the SNP had spent the money on campaigning in the general election. The SNP denied this, saying the money raised was ring-fenced for a future referendum campaign.{{Cite news |last=Learmonth |first=Andrew |date=13 June 2017 |title=SNP: All the money raised on #ScotRef website is ringfenced to fight a future independence referendum |work=The National |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/15344728.snp-all-the-money-raised-on-scotref-website-is-ringfenced-to-fight-a-future-independence-referendum/}}
A second fundraiser followed in April 2019.{{Cite news |last=Paterson |first=Stewart |date=24 April 2019 |title=SNP Deputy leader, Keith Brown, issues Indyref2 fundraiser after Nicola Sturgeon statement |work=Glasgow Times |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/17594928.snp-deputy-leader-keith-brown-issues-indyref2-fundraiser-nicola-sturgeon-statement/}} This fundraiser also claimed to be ring-fencing donations for a specific purpose, saying "Our plan is to distribute An Independent Scotland: Household Guide to every household – all 2,460,000 of them! To achieve that, I am asking you to join me in making a donation to this specific project".{{Cite news |date=7 May 2019 |title=Yes.scot campaign set to hit major support milestone |work=The National |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/17621916.yes-scot-campaign-set-hit-major-support-milestone/}}
= Early concerns surrounding SNP finances =
In January 2020, the pro-independence blogger Stuart Campbell, through his website Wings Over Scotland, claimed that the SNP's published accounts for 2018 did not contain enough money to cover the ring-fenced sums that were said to have been raised.{{Cite news |last=Learmonth |first=Andrew |date=1 February 2020 |title=SNP deny spending independence referendum money |work=The National |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18203567.snp-deny-spending-independence-referendum-money/}}
In October 2020, the Electoral Commission published the SNP's 2019 accounts. These did not list the referendum campaign funds separately and showed that the money the SNP had to hand, around £97,000, was again much less than the amount that was said to be ring-fenced. The SNP's then treasurer, Colin Beattie, emailed SNP donors regarding allegations that the referendum campaign fund had already been spent. Beattie insisted that there was £593,501 in the "Referendum Appeal Fund" that was ready to be deployed "instantaneously", and that the SNP did not separate restricted funds from the rest of the annual accounts. Beattie claimed that the donations were "woven through" the income figures for that year.{{Cite news |last=Learmonth |first=Andrew |date=28 October 2020 |title=SNP try to 'quash rumours' independence fighting fund has already been spent |work=The National |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18828133.snp-try-quash-rumours-independence-fighting-fund-already-spent/}}
= Resignation of SNP finance committee =
In the 2020 SNP internal elections, Douglas Chapman was elected as SNP National Treasurer, replacing Colin Beattie. On 20 March 2021, however, three members of the SNP's Finance and Audit Committee (Cllr Frank Ross, Cynthia Guthrie and Allison Graham) resigned over a lack of access to party accounts.{{Cite news |last=Matchett |first=Conor |date=1 June 2021 |title=The SNP's £600k 'missing cash' and what it could mean |work=The Scotsman |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/the-snps-ps600k-missing-cash-and-what-it-could-mean-3256955}} As a result, long-time Scottish independence campaigner Sean Clerkin made a complaint to Police Scotland about the allegedly missing funds in March 2021.{{Cite news |last=Gordon |first=Tom |date=12 February 2023 |title=SNP urged to explain 'extraordinary coincidence' in finance row |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23315586.snp-urged-explain-extraordinary-coincidence-finance-row/}}
In May 2021, Douglas Chapman also resigned as SNP National Treasurer, saying he "had not received the support or financial information required to carry out the fiduciary duties of National Treasurer".{{Cite tweet |last=Chapman |first=Douglas |author-link= |user=dougchapmansnp |number=1398716551805669378 |title=Despite having a resounding mandate from members to introduce more transparency into the party's finances, I have not received the support or financial information to carry out the fiduciary duties of National Treasurer. Regretfully I have resigned with immediate effect |date=29 May 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529213645/https://twitter.com/dougchapmansnp/status/1398716551805669378 |archive-date=29 May 2021}}{{Cite news|date=30 May 2021|title=SNP finance boss Douglas Chapman quits over 'lack of information' |work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57299030|access-date=31 May 2021}} Nicola Sturgeon, then party leader and wife to Peter Murrell, then the party's chief executive, took over as acting treasurer, with Electoral Commission rules requiring someone to be in the post at all times.{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Kieran |date=22 June 2021 |title=SNP admits money donated for independence spent elsewhere |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/snp-admits-money-donated-for-independence-spent-elsewhere-jxlt6ldx9}} MP Joanna Cherry then resigned from the SNP's National Executive Committee later that month, saying on Twitter, "A number of factors have prevented me from fulfilling the mandate party members gave me to improve transparency & scrutiny & to uphold the party’s constitution. I won’t be making any further comment at this stage".{{cite web |url=https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2021/05/double-resignations-leave-snp-in-turmoil/ |title=Three resignations leave SNP in turmoil – Daily Business |work=Daily Business |date=31 May 2021 |access-date=20 April 2023}}
A month after Chapman's resignation, Peter Murrell loaned more than £107,620 to the party. This loan was not declared to the Electoral Commission until August 2022, more than a year late.
Beattie was re-appointed as Treasurer in June 2021.{{cite web |last1=Healey |first1=Derek |title=Colin Beattie returns to SNP treasurer role amid growing row over independence donations |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2316304/colin-beattie-returns-to-snp-treasurer-role-amid-growing-row-over-independence-donations/ |website=The Courier |date=17 June 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021}} After a SNP NEC meeting that month, Beattie said £666,953 had been raised through referendum-related fundraisers from 2017 to 2020, and that £51,760 had been spent directly on campaigning for another referendum. He said funds were "earmarked" for that purpose, and "amounts equivalent to the sums raised" would be spent on "the intended purpose".{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-admit-spending-ringfenced-ps600k-funds-elsewhere-3282391 |title=SNP admit spending 'ringfenced' £600k funds elsewhere |last=Matchett |first=Conor |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=22 June 2021 |access-date=12 June 2023}}
Police investigation
= Early investigation, 2021–2022 =
The police investigation was launched in July 2021 following seven complaints. These included allegations that ring-fenced referendum funds were instead spent on legal costs for Peter Murrell during the Alex Salmond sexual harassment scandal, and for SNP MEP Alyn Smith during a defamation case against the Brexit Party. Funds were also reported to have been spent on the refurbishment of the party's offices. Police Scotland was said to be "at loggerheads" with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service over the decision to announce a formal investigation.{{Cite news |last=Gordon |first=Tom |date=15 February 2023 |title=Sturgeon dodges question on SNP 'fraud' probe as she quits |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23323606.sturgeon-dodges-question-snp-fraud-probe-quits/}}{{cite news |last1=Boothman |first1=John |last2=Allardyce |first2=Jason |date=25 July 2021 |title=SNP referendum donations 'spent on office renovations' |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/snp-referendum-donations-spent-on-office-renovations-q0w9nbfpg}}
In August 2021, Sturgeon told a Zoom meeting of the SNP's NEC that, "We don't need to talk about the finances. The finances are absolutely fine". The meeting - which was recorded and released publicly in April 2023 - was to discuss a report commissioned by depute leader Keith Brown on financial transparency, following the resignation of Douglas Chapman. Brown's report recommended a "monthly written summary of income and expenditure, confirmed via the bank account", to increase transparency. According to a party source, Sturgeon insisted that "there was nothing wrong with the accounts and that people should stop talking about it because it was undermining the party. It's fair to say she was pretty raging about it. She went on at some length telling everyone that everything was absolutely fine and that it shouldn't be discussed." The recommendations in Brown's report were not acted on.{{Cite news |last=Learmonth |first=Andrew |date=9 April 2023 |title=Sturgeon told SNP NEC party's finances were 'absolutely fine' |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23444466.sturgeon-told-snp-nec-partys-finances-absolutely-fine/}}
In September 2021, The Times reported that Police Scotland had received a search warrant from the Crown Office to obtain documents from the SNP's auditors, the accounting firm Johnston Carmichael.{{Cite news |last= Andrews |first= Kieran |date=13 September 2021 |title=Indyref2 legal battle 'spoilt by recent embarrassments' |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/indyref2-legal-battle-spoilt-by-recent-embarrassments-8d6nvx07j/}}
In 2022, a peer-review of the operation was conducted by the National Crime Agency, which the police described as normal "good practice".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65513265 |title=Police consulted National Crime Agency over SNP probe |last=Campbell |first=Glenn |work=BBC News |date=6 June 2023 |access-date=11 June 2023}}
In October 2022, the accountant firm Johnston Carmichael resigned from auditing the SNP's finances, after over a decade working with the party. The news of their departure was kept from the party's NEC and did not become public knowledge until April 2023. The SNP would be without auditors for over six months.
In December 2022, Wings Over Scotland reported that a loan of £107,620 made to the SNP in June 2021 had come from the party's then-CEO Peter Murrell, and that the Electoral Commission had not been informed until over a year later, in August 2022, breach of the commission's reporting rules.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-63973961 |title=Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell gave £100,000 loan to SNP |publisher=BBC News |date=2022-12-14 |access-date=2023-05-01}}{{Cite news |last=Gordon |first=Tom |date=14 December 2022 |title=Sturgeon's husband in row over 'murky' £100,000 loan to SNP |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23190861.sturgeons-husband-row-murky-100-000-loan-snp/}}{{Cite news |last=Gordon |first=Tom |date=7 February 2023 |title=SNP loan from Sturgeon's husband led to multiple rule breaches |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23303488.snp-loan-sturgeons-husband-led-multiple-rule-breaches/}} The stated reason for the loan was to assist with the party's cash-flow after the Scottish Parliament election in May 2021, although by April 2023 the majority of the loan had not been repaid, with £60,000 still outstanding.{{Cite news |last=Hutcheon |first=Paul |date=5 December 2022 |title=Nicola Sturgeon walks away after questions on husband's £107,000 'cashflow' loan to SNP |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-walks-away-after-28740737}}
= 2023 =
In February 2023, it was reported that the police planned to speak to key witnesses within the party.{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Chris |date=16 February 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon's husband is under pressure to quit as SNP chief executive amid police inquiry |work=i |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/nicola-sturgeon-husband-peter-murrell-pressure-quit-snp-chief-executive-police-2153039}} Former party treasurer Douglas Chapman, as well as several other former officials from the party's governing body, were subsequently reported to have been contacted by police in the days before Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to resign as First Minister.{{Cite news |last=McCall |first=Chris |date=31 August 2023 |title=Former SNP treasurer had 'no choice' but to resign after trying to make accounts 'more accessible' |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/former-snp-treasurer-no-choice-30829074}} In the same period, there were calls for Murrell to stand down because of the investigation into the loan he had made to the SNP.{{Cite news |last=Sanderson |first=Daniel |date=10 February 2023 |title=Ian Blackford refuses to say whether Nicola Sturgeon's husband should remain as SNP chief executive |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/02/19/ian-blackford-refuses-say-whether-nicola-sturgeons-husband-should/}}
Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to resign as First Minister and SNP leader on 13 February 2023. The announcement was described as a surprise by media outlets and prompted speculation that her decision was connected to the ongoing police investigation into the SNP's finances.{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Debbie |date=16 February 2023 |title=Why did Nicola Sturgeon resign as first minister? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-64661974 |access-date= 9 June 2025}}{{Cite news |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |last2= Brooks |first2=Libby |date=15 February 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon resignation: why now – and what happens next on key issues?
|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/15/nicola-sturgeon-resignation-why-now-and-what-happens-next-on-key-issues |access-date= 9 June 2025}} Sturgeon has maintained that her decision to resign was provoked by occupational burnout.{{Cite news |title=Nicola Sturgeon resigns as First Minister after eight years at top of Scottish politics |work=The Scotsman |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-resigns-as-scotlands-first-minister-saying-it-is-not-reaction-to-short-term-pressures-4027884 |access-date=18 February 2023 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218004936/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-resigns-as-scotlands-first-minister-saying-it-is-not-reaction-to-short-term-pressures-4027884 |url-status=live }}
== Peter Murrell arrested ==
Peter Murrell resigned as SNP chief executive in March 2023 owing to a dispute over membership numbers during the SNP leadership election.{{Cite news |date=18 March 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell quits as SNP chief executive in face of no confidence threat |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/snp-chief-executive-peter-murrell-resigns-12836882 |access-date=18 March 2023}} On 5 April 2023, Murrell was arrested by Police Scotland in connection with Operation Branchform, with the police saying they were conducting searches at a number of addresses. The police searched Murrell and Sturgeon's private residence in Glasgow, including the garden, and also searched and removed documentation from the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh.{{Cite news |date=5 April 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell arrested in SNP finance probe |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65187823 |access-date=5 April 2023}}{{cite news |last=Learmonth |first=Andrew |date=5 April 2023 |title=Police search of Peter Murrell's house extends to garden |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23437971.police-search-peter-murrells-house-extends-garden/}} After questioning, Murrell was released without charge pending further investigation.{{cite news |date=6 April 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell released without charge after arrest |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65195171}} A Niesmann + Bischoff motorhome, with a sales price of around £110,000, was subsequently seized from the home of Peter Murrell's mother in Fife as part of the investigation.{{cite news |date=9 April 2023 |title=Police 'seize high-end campervan in SNP finances probe' following Peter Murrell arrest |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2023-04-09/police-seize-high-end-campervan-in-snp-finances-probe/ |work=ITV News}}{{Cite news |last=Healey |first=Derek |date=9 April 2023 |title=Police 'seize luxury campervan from Fife home of Nicola Sturgeon's mother-in-law' |work=The Courier |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/4290757/nicola-sturgeon-campervan/}} Neighbours reported that the motorhome had never been moved. Beattie said he did not know about the purchase of the motorhome at the time.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65385825 |title=Ex-SNP treasurer says he was aware of motorhome - BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2023-04-25 |access-date=2023-05-01}}
The police's tactics in their search of Sturgeon and Murrell's home, especially the erection of a forensic tent over the front door, were questioned by Scottish Nationalists. Noel Dolan, a former special adviser to Nicola Sturgeon, said: "I believe the police behaviour in the use of tents outside and invading the former First Minister's home has been very heavy handed. It was completely over the top." Dolan called for the issue of police powers to be raised in the Scottish Parliament. His comments were criticised by Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, as "based on theory rather than fact". Police Scotland declined to comment on an ongoing investigation.{{cite news |last=Hutcheon |first=Paul |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-house-raid-over-29819381 |title=Nicola Sturgeon house raid was 'over the top' and would 'not have happened' to a Prime Minister |work=Daily Record |date=27 April 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}} Others claimed that the investigation was a conspiracy: SNP MSP James Dornan accused the police and media of having "some kind of collusion about making sure the media are in attendance when the slightest thing happens", and described the search of the Sturgeon-Murrell home as "like Fred West's house". Police Scotland denied any suggestion that the media was informed of the search ahead of time. Mairianna Clyde, a former SNP candidate for the City of Edinburgh Council who was later reselected for the 2024 council by-election, wrote on Twitter: "We should be completely clear about the events of the last few days. The British establishment could not destroy the SNP at the polls. So they are destroying us through the media and a deliberately protracted overblown police and legal action."
Questions were also raised over the time taken to approve the warrant for the search of Sturgeon and Murrell's home: The Scottish Sun reported that the request for a warrant was first made on 20 March, but was not approved and sent to a sheriff for two weeks before it was executed on 5 April. It was suggested that this was to avoid being seen to influence the result of the 2023 Scottish National Party leadership election. This was denied by the Crown Office, which described such allegations as an "unacceptable slur" on the integrity of the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, and on the Crown Office's public prosecutors. Owing to the political nature of the allegations, the First Minister Humza Yousaf said that both the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General Ruth Charteris - whose offices are political appointments in the Scottish Government - would recuse themselves from the investigation.
It was announced in early April, after Murrell's arrest, that accountants Johnston Carmichael had resigned from auditing the SNP's finances (both for the central party and the Westminster Parliamentary group), after over a decade working with the party.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65212357|title=SNP auditors quit amid Peter Murrell police investigation|work=BBC News |date=7 April 2023}} It later emerged that they had done so "around October" 2022, according to Humza Yousaf, the new leader of the SNP, who also said he was unaware that the party was without auditors until he took office.{{cite web | url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/snp-auditors-quit-october-public-29681685 | title=SNP auditors 'quit in October' but the public was not told | date=11 April 2023}} The news of their departure was kept from the party's NEC.{{cite news |last1=Boothman |first1=John |last2=Horne |first2=Marc |last3=Andrews |first3=Kieran |date=11 April 2023 |title=Auditors' departure kept secret from SNP national executive |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/auditors-departure-kept-secret-from-snp-national-executive-57cqkpkf0}} Over £1 million of Short Money, public funds payable to the SNP group in Parliament, was at risk if the SNP did not produce audited accounts for their Westminster Group by 31 May 2023.{{cite news|last=Gordon |first=Tom |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23453226.snp-faces-loss-1million-public-funds-auditor-chaos/ |title=SNP faces loss of £1million in public funds because of auditor 'chaos' |work=The Herald |date=13 April 2023 |access-date=20 April 2023}} It was announced on 3 May 2023 that the SNP had appointed new auditors, the AMS Accountants Group in Manchester, over six months after the previous auditors had resigned.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65467591 |title=SNP appoints new auditors as deadline looms |last=Eardley |first=Nick |work=BBC News |date=3 May 2023 |access-date=11 June 2023}} The SNP Westminster Group ultimately submitted their audited accounts before the 31 May 2023 deadline.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65763697 |title=SNP's Westminster group submits accounts on time |work=BBC News |date=31 May 2023 |access-date=13 June 2023}}
Legal costs from the investigation were reported to have contributed to the SNP having financial difficulties by April 2023.{{Cite news |last1=Andrews |first1=Kieran |last2=Boothman |first2=John |last3=Watson |first3=Jeremy |date=15 April 2023 |title=SNP running out of cash after member exodus, warns treasurer |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/snp-is-running-out-of-cash-warns-treasurer-xwcxngtzb}}
== Colin Beattie arrested ==
On 18 April 2023, Colin Beattie was arrested in connection with the investigation.{{Cite news |date=18 April 2023 |title=Police arrest SNP treasurer in finance probe |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65309791 |access-date=18 April 2023}} He was released without charge pending further investigation later the same day.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65312186 |title=SNP will be in trouble without action, says Kate Forbes |work=BBC News |date=19 April 2023 |access-date=20 April 2023}} He resigned as party treasurer the next day.{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Tom |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23466967.humza-yousaf-thrust-snp-treasurers-role-colin-beattie-quits/ |title=Humza Yousaf thrust into SNP treasurer's role as Colin Beattie quits |work=The Herald |date=19 April 2023 |access-date=20 April 2023}} MP Stuart McDonald was appointed as the new treasurer.{{Cite news |date=23 April 2023 |title=SNP appoint MP Stuart McDonald as new treasurer after Beattie resignation |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65359303}}
In May 2023, Murray Foote, previously SNP media chief, openly denounced the conduct of the Police Scotland investigation. Foote had resigned as SNP media chief in March 2023 after repeating misleading party membership numbers that had been given to him by Peter Murrell. Foote said that the possibility that Branchform is a "wild goose chase" should be considered, and warned of "serious consequences for the investigating authorities" should no charges be brought. Foote denounced the police search of Sturgeon and Murrell's home as "a grotesque circus", and insisted on Peter Murrell's innocence and integrity: "First minister Sturgeon and her husband lived under crushingly intense scrutiny. It is inconceivable to me that Peter would so much as consider doing something dodgy lest it rebound and put his wife in jeopardy."{{Cite news |date=17 March 2023 |title=SNP media chief Murray Foote resigns over membership dispute |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-64993032}}{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ex-snp-spin-doctor-murray-foote-describes-search-of-nicola-sturgeons-home-as-grotesque-spectacle-12873078 |title=Ex-SNP spin doctor Murray Foote describes search of Nicola Sturgeon's home as 'grotesque spectacle' |work=Sky News |date=4 May 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}}
Sir Iain Livingstone, then Chief Constable of Police Scotland, defended the investigation at a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority on 25 May 2023, saying that; "A diligent, thorough and proportionate criminal inquiry is being conducted with integrity. I have previously asserted and will reassert today that I would fiercely resist any attempt to bring political pressure to my decision making or upon any police operation."{{cite news |last=Loudon |first=Calum |url=https://news.stv.tv/politics/police-scotland-chief-constable-says-snp-finance-probe-must-be-free-from-political-interference |title=Police chief says SNP probe must be free from 'political interference' |work=STV News |date=25 May 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}}
== Nicola Sturgeon arrested ==
File:Nicola Sturgeon sits on the backbenches following her resignation.png
Widespread speculation that Nicola Sturgeon could be arrested for police questioning{{Cite news |date=2023-04-19 |title=SNP finances: Shona Robison says party must get its house in order |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65321409 |access-date=2023-04-20}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-19 |title=Nicola Sturgeon likely to be arrested next by police, SNP fears |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nicola-sturgeon-snp-police-arrests-b2322564.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Andrews |first=Kieran |title=SNP 'must get house in order' as party braces for Sturgeon arrest |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/will-nicola-sturgeon-be-arrested-snp-2023-jrbftdjjm |access-date=2023-04-20 |issn=0140-0460}} came to fruition when, on 11 June 2023, she was arrested in connection with the investigation. Later that day, she was released without charge.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65871857 | title=Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances inquiry | work=BBC News | date=11 June 2023 }} Some SNP politicians, including Ash Regan MSP, called for Sturgeon to be suspended from the party, but new leader Humza Yousaf said he would not suspend her as she had not been charged.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/12/nicola-sturgeon-should-give-up-snp-membership-says-ex-leadership-rival | title=Humza Yousaf rejects calls to suspend Nicola Sturgeon from SNP | newspaper=The Guardian | date=12 June 2023 | last1=Carrell | first1=Severin | last2=Brooks | first2=Libby }}
By the end of June, the SNP was reported to be ready to submit audited accounts to the Electoral Commission ahead of a deadline of 7 July. However, the party's Manchester-based auditors, AMS Accountants Group, qualified their audit of the accounts owing to missing documentation related to membership, donations, and raffle income for the period of 2021–2022. The SNP insisted that this was due to "administrative processes", and that "there is no suggestion that the accounts do not present an accurate picture of the party’s financial position."{{cite news |last=Pooran |first=Neil |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/snp-nec-humza-yousaf-stuart-mcdonald-house-of-commons-b2367107.html |title=SNP to meet accounts deadline with audit 'qualification' |work=The Independent |date=30 June 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}}
In July, the police said the operation had grown beyond the initial allegation of fraud{{Cite news |last=Horne |first=Marc |date=2023-07-31 |title=SNP fears Nicola Sturgeon and husband will be charged |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/snp-police-inquiry-widens-after-potential-embezzlement-claims-dgtn07skz |access-date=2023-08-01 |issn=0140-0460}} and would now look at potential embezzlement and the misuse of funds.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=2023-07-19 |title=SNP investigation now looking into 'potential embezzlement', police chief suggests |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/19/snp-embezzlement-fraud-police-sturgeon-livingstone-missing/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |issn=0307-1235}} That month, the outgoing Chief Constable, Sir Iain Livingstone, re-iterated his defence of the investigation, telling the BBC's Today programme that the time taken was proportionate to the allegations of fraud and embezzlement because of the need to obtain information from banks and other financial institutions. Addressing allegations that the search of Sturgeon and Murrell's house was heavy-handed, Livingstone described the search as proportionate to the circumstances, and specifically addressed the forensic tent: "The tent was there, as were all the other measures, to protect the interests of justice and to protect the individuals involved."{{Cite news |last=Mnyanda |first=Lukanyo |date=2023-07-19 |title=Scotland's police chief defends conduct of SNP investigation |language=en-GB |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c4024698-37fd-45b9-86da-f8a759c5eb01 |access-date=2023-09-01 }}
In August 2023, Murray Foote was appointed chief executive of the SNP.{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Tom |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23742325.murray-foote-called-snp-police-probe-grotesque-party-boss/ |title=Murray Foote, who called SNP police probe 'grotesque', is party boss |work=The Herald |date=23 August 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}} In view of Foote's previous comments on Operation Branchform, both the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Scottish Conservatives called on the SNP to give new assurance that it would continue to co-operate with the police inquiry.{{cite news |last=Nutt |first=Kathleen |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23748547.operation-branchform-snp-urged-give-new-assurance/ |title=Operation Branchform: SNP urged to give new assurance |work=The Herald |date=27 August 2023 |access-date=1 September 2023}} Speaking to the Daily Record, SNP leader and First Minister Humza Yousaf rejected Foote's past comments on the investigation and re-iterated that the party would cooperate fully with the police.{{Cite news |last=Hutcheon |first=Paul |date=2023-09-02 |title=Humza Yousaf rejects claim police search of Nicola Sturgeon's house was 'grotesque' |language=en-GB |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/humza-yousaf-rejects-claim-police-30841446 |access-date=2023-09-02 }}
== Second police investigation ==
In late August 2023, Police Scotland confirmed that they were assessing a complaint referred to them by Greater Manchester Police. This complaint alleges that the SNP recorded unregistered cash gifts as money brought in by fundraising to conceal a "cash for seats" operation, whereby donors were prioritised for selection for elected seats.{{Cite news |last=Ferguson |first=John |date=2023-08-27 |title=Police to probe SNP after 'cash for seats' claim |language=en-GB |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-probe-snp-after-cash-30795253 |access-date=2023-08-28}}
In November 2023, two former sheriffs, Kevin Drummond KC and Douglas Cusine, of the legal group Quis, warned that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service raised questions over the "protracted period of time" taken by the investigation. Drummond and Cusine said that; "The Crown is likely to have been kept up to date with the nature of the inquiry. If that is correct it can only be conjectured that either the Crown has instructed further investigation of elements of that report, or the delay is not on the part of the police but on the part of the Crown." They further added that; "In the absence of any explanation by Police Scotland or the Crown Office, the delay in such a high profile case is capable of stimulating perceptions of cover-up. For that reason alone, it can be said that the Crown Office should offer a public explanation for the lack of progress." The Crown Office said that Police Scotland had yet to submit a report to them. Sean Clerkin, who made the original report to the police, claimed that the police were "dragging their heels".
By December 2023, Police Scotland was reported to be investigating over 1,000 alleged instances of fraud as part of Operation Branchform, including the provenance of a Jaguar I-Pace worth up to £95,000 that had been bought by Peter Murrell in 2019. The car was photographed on the driveway of Murrell and Sturgeon's home in March 2021, but was reported to have been sold later that year through the car trading service We Buy Any Car.{{Cite news |last=Ferguson |first=John |date=10 December 2023 |title=Police investigating missing SNP donations now examining purchase of £95k Jaguar |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-investigating-missing-snp-donations-31637216}}
= 2024 =
In January 2024, it was reported that the SNP had failed to declare to the Electoral Commission two loans worth a total of £15,000 made by Peter Murrell to the party in 2018. The loans were only declared in October 2023. Both loans were for £7,500. One was paid back within two days, while the other was paid back within two weeks. At the time the loans were made, parties were obliged to report donations higher than £7,500. Smaller donations from a single donor which exceed the reporting threshold when taken together also needed to be reported. The SNP accepted that "as both loans were in the same calendar year, they should have been reported". The Electoral Commission said that it would consider enforcement action over the late reporting of the loans, but would not act until the police investigation had concluded.{{Cite news|date=5 January 2024|title=SNP could face investigation into loans from Peter Murrell |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-67896063 |access-date=5 January 2024}} The same month, Police Scotland was investigating claims that signatures were forged on documents related to SNP finances, with the named person denying that they had written the signature, or having any knowledge of the documents.{{Cite news |last= Ferguson |first= John |date= 2024-01-28 |title= Police in SNP forgery probe amid claims signatures were falsified on documents |language=en-GB |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-investigating-claims-forged-signatures-31983420 |access-date=2024-03-02 }}
By the end of February 2024, it was reported that Police Scotland had requested to re-interview SNP staff as part of the investigation, including those who were not in place when the inquiry began. The Times reported that the move was directed by the Crown Office.{{Cite news |last=Learmonth |first=Andrew |date=21 February 2024|title=Operation Branchform: SNP staff face fresh grilling in finance probe |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24133591.operation-branchform-snp-staff-face-fresh-grilling-finance-probe |access-date=22 February 2024}}
== Peter Murrell charged ==
On 18 April 2024, Peter Murrell was re-arrested and charged with embezzlement. He was released from custody the same day, and later resigned his membership of the SNP.{{Cite news |date=2024-04-18 |title=Peter Murrell charged with embezzlement in SNP probe |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-68850088 |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
On 23 May 2024, the police sent a report on their findings to Scotland's prosecution service.{{cite news |title=What's happening with the SNP finances police inquiry? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c511gjjwr82o |agency=BBC |date=23 May 2024}} A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service spokesman confirmed that it received a report in relation to Peter Murrell and that an investigation into two other individuals "a man aged 72 and a 53-year-old woman" were still ongoing.{{cite news |title=Nicola Sturgeon still being investigated over missing SNP funds |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/nicola-sturgeon-investigation-operation-branchform-missing-snp-funds-k0ff9zr78#:~:text=Nicola%20Sturgeon%20remains%20under%20investigation,her%20husband%20embezzled%20party%20funds. |access-date=24 May 2024 |agency=The Times |date=24 May 2024}}
== Political developments ==
Following the 2024 United Kingdom general election, where the SNP lost 39 Westminster seats and was reduced to the second-largest party in Scotland, former SNP MPs blamed the ongoing police investigation for the scale of the defeat: Tommy Sheppard, who lost his seat to Scottish Labour, remarked; "And then there was the elephant in the room. Operation Branchform. Never mentioned, always there. Hard to fight an election with your former leaders awaiting charges, especially when many of the public perceive little distance between now and then."{{Cite news |last=Sheppard |first=Tommy |date=7 July 2024|title=Learning lessons of this election and creating a framework to win in 2026 |work=The National |url=https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24435563.learning-lessons-election-creating-framework-win/ |access-date=20 July 2024}} Mhairi Black, who stepped down as MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, described the investigation as reflective of deeper structural issues within the party.{{Cite news |last=Black |first=Mhairi |date=13 July 2024|title=SNP implosion has been on the cards for years |work=The National |url=https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24449580.snp-implosion-cards-years/ |access-date=20 July 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Dixon |first=Hayley |date=5 July 2024 |access-date=5 July 2024 |title=Return of Red Clydeside as Labour makes clean sweep in Glasgow |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/07/05/return-red-clydeside-labour-makes-clean-sweep-glasgow/}}
On 14 August, in an interview with Sky News, Chief Constable of Police Scotland Jo Farrell confirmed that Operation Branchform was still ongoing and that Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie remain under investigation.{{Cite news |last=Carmichael |first=Josh |date=14 August 2024|title=Operation Branchform: Farrell confirms investigation ongoing |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24518029.operation-branchform-farrell-confirms-investigation-ongoing/ |access-date=16 August 2024}} Sky News reported that Farrell said that the police were unable to "say when Operation Branchform will end". In response, SNP MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, James Dornan, shared the post on Twitter and wrote: "I have May 2026 in the draw." As the next Holyrood elections are due to be held on 7 May 2026, Dornan's comments were interpreted by many as implying that the police investigation was politically-motivated. Dornan further denounced the investigation as a "farce" in conversation with other Twitter users: "The minute we're seen to even attempt to interfere in police business we would, rightly, be slaughtered. The whole thing is a farce imo [in my opinion] and there are questions for the police to answer but we need to keep our distance... I don't think it's affecting party members much, they see it for what I see it, but it does allow others to use it as a weapon whilst pretending they care about truth and honesty."{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Gregor |date=15 August 2024|title=Operation Branchform probe into SNP finances 'is a farce', MSP claims |work=The National |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24520679.operation-branchform-probe-snp-finances-is-farce-msp-claims/ |access-date=16 August 2024}}
On 22 August, the SNP's accounts for 2023 were published by the Electoral Commission. The accounts showed that the party still owed Peter Murrell £60,000 for a loan of £107,620 made three years previously to support cash flow after the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. The party reported a surplus of £661,568, after reporting a deficit of £804,278 in 2022. However, this was largely accomplished from two levies on party branches, which raised £670,000 to support campaigning in the 2023 Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election and the 2024 UK general election. The party's auditors, AMS Accounts Group of Manchester, again issued a "qualified opinion" owing to missing documentation.{{Cite news |last=Meighan |first=Craig |date=22 August 2024 |access-date=25 August 2024 |title=SNP still owes Peter Murrell £60,000, party accounts reveal |work=STV News |url=https://news.stv.tv/politics/snp-still-owes-peter-murrell-60000-party-accounts-reveal}}
== Growing concern over delays ==
On 5 September, it was reported that Police Scotland had asked prosecutors for further guidance on the direction of the investigation into Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie. An Advice and Guidance Report was sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, detailing the progress of the investigation so far and asking for formal direction on how to proceed. A police spokesperson said: "On 9 August, we presented the findings of the investigation so far to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and we await their direction on what further action should be taken." The Crown Office said the police report was under consideration. At this point, senior Crown Office lawyers were still considering whether there was sufficient evidence to prosecute Peter Murrell and whether it would be in the public interest to do so.{{Cite news |last=Cowan |first=David |date=5 September 2024 |access-date=5 September 2024 |title=Police ask for guidance in Sturgeon probe over SNP finances |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2ejw4vlj5o}} In October 2024, nearly two months after submitting the Advice and Guidance Report, Chief Constable Jo Farrell confirmed that Police Scotland had yet to receive a response to the report and "was still awaiting direction".{{Cite news |last=McCall |first=Chris |date=11 October 2024 |title=Lord Advocate refuses to comment on Operation Branchform as investigation into SNP finances drags on |work=Daily Record |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/lord-advocate-refuses-comment-operation-33865843}}
On 5 October, Sean Clerkin, who made the original complaint to police in 2021, expressed frustration at the protracted nature of the investigation, and claimed to have been subject to persecution from other Scottish independence supporters: "All these years down the line I have been persecuted by nationalists who have persecuted me on social media and at rallies. Threatening to do me in, threatened to take me out and I have had death threats." Clerkin called for the investigation to be ended by the end of 2024 so it would not overshadow the 2026 Holyrood elections. Criminal defence lawyer Thomas Leonard Ross KC also expressed concern at delays in the investigation: "Once somebody is charged then they have the right to a trial within a reasonable time. Before a person is formally charged, there might be an argument as to whether the clock is efficiently running. There is absolutely no doubt that it is running in relation to Mr Murrell, so certainly the police and Crown office have to be alive to that. The police inquiry cannot go on indefinitely."{{Cite news |date=5 October 2024 |title=SNP finances probe 'delays' threaten independence movement, whistleblower says |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/snp-finances-probe-delays-threaten-independence-movement-whistleblower-says-13227678 |access-date=6 October 2024}}
On 6 October, the Sunday Mail reported that prosecutors were investigating claims that over £100,000, supposedly spent on refurbishments to SNP party headquarters, was paid to a non-existent company. A major high street bank was reported to have flagged transactions connected with SNP accounts in 2023, with a source saying; "One of the biggest items being looked at is a six figure sum which on paper appears to have been spent creating a media suite at the Edinburgh offices. There are receipts but it is unclear whether the company named on receipts really existed." The police were said to be investigating embezzlement of up to £500,000, of which one of the largest items related to work on SNP HQ.{{Cite news |date=6 October 2024 |title=Police probing claims fake company received payments for SNP office refurbishment |work=Sunday Mail |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/police-probing-claims-fake-company-33829181 |access-date=6 October 2024}}
By the end of 2024, several more public figures had raised concerns over the time taken by the Crown Office to come to a decision: on 28 October, in a letter to The Herald, former SNP depute leader Jim Sillars expressed concern over delays in the investigation. Sillars compared the SNP's administrative arrangements to that of "a very small company", and questioned why "with only three people originally taken to a police station for questioning, and the small size of the SNP management core, apparently no conclusion can be reached after three years of police investigation and references to the Crown Office." Sillars suggested that the delays showed that the Crown Office was "unable to disentangle law from politics."{{Cite news |last=Sillars |first=Jim |date=28 October 2024 |title=Why on earth is Operation Branchform taking so long? |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/24683936.earth-operation-branchform-taking-long/}} On 4 December, long-time Scottish nationalist campaigner Isobel Lindsay also wrote to The Herald, accusing the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain of failing to oversee "fair and competent operation of the Crown Office" in bringing the SNP finances investigation to a conclusion. Lindsay wrote; "Police Scotland have made it clear that they completed their job a considerable time ago so the delay in making any decision rests with the Crown Office. If no decision whether to proceed or not proceed is made early in the new year then the case will drag on into the Holyrood election period and that would surely raise issues of prejudice."{{Cite news |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/24771384.letter-day-time-question-lord-advocate-branchform/ |title=Letter of the Day: Time to question Lord Advocate on Branchform |date=4 December 2024 |publisher=The Herald |location=Glasgow}} In an interview on 16 December, Nicola Sturgeon said she had been told "nothing more" about the progress of the police probe since her arrest and release eighteen months previously. Sturgeon said; "I don't think it would be surprising to anybody to hear me say of course I wish it wasn't there - but it is what it is and it will take its own course", and insisted, "In the meantime I'm getting on with my life." Responding to Sturgeon's comments, a Crown Office spokesman said that the service would review submissions from the police and would make a decision on "next steps", and insisted that; "All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence." A spokesman for Police Scotland said the force was awaiting direction from COPFS "on what further action should be taken".{{Cite news |date=16 December 2024 |access-date=16 December 2024 |title=Sturgeon knows 'nothing more' about police probe |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2yv4rjy0ko}}
= 2025 =
At the outset of 2025, two King's Counsels again raised concerns about the protracted nature of the investigation. Thomas Leonard Ross KC predicted that only Peter Murrell would face prosecution, and indicated that Murrell could have a defence under the European Convention on Human Rights if the case was not brought to trial in a reasonable time. Roddy Dunlop KC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates and a former legal advisor to the Scottish Government, confirmed Ross' interpretation of the law but added; "What is a 'reasonable time' is fact-sensitive, and turns on the complexity of the matters in question. There is no fixed time limit as such." In response, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service issued a long statement confirming that it was continuing to review the standard prosecution report submitted by the police, concerning Murrell and activities said to have occurred between 2016 and 2023, and also confirmed that connected investigations into Colin Beattie and Nicola Sturgeon remained ongoing. The Crown Office said that before any action was taken, it would undertake a full evaluation that "will involve a thorough examination of the numerous witness statements and extensive evidence collected by police", and further maintained that its prosecutors operate independently and "are not influenced by political events."{{Cite news |last=Nutt |first=Kathleen |date=11 January 2025 |title=Branchform: Advocate sounds human rights warning over Murrell case |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24847050.operation-branchform-echr-running-peter-murrell/}}
On 13 January 2025, Nicola Sturgeon announced in a post on Instagram that she and Peter Murrell had separated and are to divorce.{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-former-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-splits-from-husband-13288096 |title= Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon splits from husband. |work=Sky News |access-date=13 January 2025}} On 18 January, the Daily Record reported that an inhibition issued by the Court of Session forbids Murrell from selling property while he remains under investigation.{{Cite news |date=18 January 2025 |access-date=20 January 2025 |title=Murrell property sale ban during police probe |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87d1g1nwryo}}
On 27 January, in an interview with STV News, Lord Carloway, the Lord President of the Court of Session, described how it is not possible to administer "instant justice" as a result of the need for due process and a trial, adding, "there's going to be a time lag when the evidence is gathered." Carloway was asked if this would explain the nearly-four-year investigation into the SNP finances. Lord Carloway responded clarifying: "I know absolutely nothing about Operation Branchform. I don't know where the hold up is, whether it’s with the police or the Crown Office or whatever." When asked for clarity on whether there was a hold up, Lord Carloway said: "Well it looks as if there is, yes"{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Hannah |date=27 January 2025 |title='Hold-up with Operation Branchform', says Scotland's top judge |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24888829.hold-up-operation-branchform-says-scotlands-top-judge/ |access-date=27 January 2025 |work=The Herald}} In response, a spokeswoman for Police Scotland said that the force had presented its findings to the Crown Office in the August of 2024, and were waiting for its decision. The Crown Office re-iterated that the investigation was ongoing and that comment would be inappropriate.{{Cite news |last=Nutt |first=Kathleen |date=29 January 2025 |title=Branchform: Police suggest it is not to blame for 'hold up' |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24892230.branchform-police-suggest-not-blame-hold-up/}}
In February 2025, Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie both passed internal party vetting to stand as SNP candidates in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, despite still being under police investigation. Sturgeon said that she had yet to make a decision to stand for re-election in 2026. The First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney said that he was "comfortable" with the party's vetting procedures and said that the decision had been made through "due democratic processes".{{Cite news |date=7 February 2025 |title=Sturgeon passes SNP election vetting |work=The Spectator |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/sturgeon-passes-snp-election-vetting/}}{{Cite news |last=Paton |first=Craig |date=7 February 2025 |title=John Swinney 'comfortable' with SNP vetting processes despite concerns |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24918701.john-swinney-comfortable-snp-vetting-processes-despite-concerns/}} On 12 March 2025, Sturgeon announced that she would not seek re-election as an MSP and would stand down at the next Holyrood election.{{Cite news |last=Cochrane |first=Angus |date=12 March 2025 |title=Nicola Sturgeon to step down from Holyrood |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg5j74ld9lo}}
== Conclusion ==
Murrell appeared in court for the first time on 20 March 2025 charged with embezzlement. He was released on bail. At the same time, Police Scotland confirmed that its inquiries into Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie had concluded and they were no longer under investigation. In an interview outside her home in Glasgow, Nicola Sturgeon said that there had never been "a scrap of evidence" against her: "I am completely in the clear, that is the outcome I would always have expected. I think it won't surprise anybody to hear me say that it's not been an easy experience, so to reach this point today it is obviously something I am relieved about."{{cite news |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-20/nicola-sturgeon-cleared-by-police-investigation-into-snps-finances |title=Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon cleared by police investigation into SNP’s finances |newspaper=ITV |date=20 March 2025}}
Aftermath
= Prosecution of Peter Murrell =
Murrell appeared in court for the first time on 20 March 2025 charged with embezzlement. He did not enter a plea. He was released on bail pending his trial.
In July 2025 in was reported that the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) had approved an application by Murrell's lawyers for solemn legal aid.{{Cite news |date=2 July 2025 |title=Peter Murrell granted legal aid over embezzlement charge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8z7y0xj0xo |access-date=3 July 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} SLAB's decision prompted speculation as to Murrell's financial situation, and whether legal aid would be terminated if the SNP repaid the £60,000 still outstanding of his 2021 loan to the party.{{Cite news |last=Learmouth |first=Andrew |date=2 July 2025 |title=Legal aid for Peter Murrell could end if SNP repays loan |work=The Herald |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25284781.legal-aid-murrell-end-snp-repays-loan/ |access-date=3 July 2025}} Former SNP MP and King's Counsel Joanna Cherry criticised the decision to award Murrell legal aid, saying on Twitter, "When I think of all the working class people I've represented over the years who have not qualified for legal aid or who have barely qualified with a big contribution required from their personal funds, I find this absolutely astonishing." Cherry further questioned why details of the allegations against Murrell had not been published, fourteen weeks after his initial charge: "I can't understand the delay in indicting Peter Murrell. It's way past time the detail of the charges against him were in the public domain... I'm interested in these details as the funds in question were raised from ordinary decent people who deserve to know what is alleged to have happened to their donations." Prosecution expenses for the case were reported to have more than doubled from £206,000 in February to £460,000 in July 2025.{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Catriona |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/make-public-allegations-against-peter-murrell-says-lawyer-06mz0x92w |title=Make public allegations against Peter Murrell, says lawyer |newspaper=The Times |date=11 July 2025}}
= Impact on political perceptions =
An analysis by the Scottish Election Study published in May 2025 found that the investigation into SNP finances had lowered trust in Scottish government ministers and civil servants among those who opposed Scottish independence. Among those who supported independence, the study found no significant change in perceptions on Scottish institutions.