Getty ImagesThe criminal investigation into Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP’s former treasurer has been dropped.
It comes after prosecutors gave Police Scotland guidance on what further action should be taken in the probe into the SNP’s finances.
Last year, the force handed over its findings so far to the Crown and asked for direction on the next steps of the probe known as Operation Branchform.
On Thursday, Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell appeared in court charged with the embezzlement of party funds.
At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday morning, Murrell made no plea, was committed for further examination and granted bail.
Operation Branchform has been ongoing since 2021 and is investigating what happened to around £600,000 raised by the party for independence campaigning.
Sturgeon, 54, and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie, 73, were arrested and questioned as part of the investigation in June 2023 but were released without charge.
After her husband’s appearance in court, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service issued a statement regarding the “related investigations”.
The Crown said it had responded to a request from Police Scotland for advice and guidance in the investigation into a 73-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman – Beattie and Sturgeon.
“The request was handled as part of a large-scale wider inquiry and without delay on the part of the prosecution service who recognise its significance,” a spokesperson said.
The Crown said professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel dealt with the request without involving politically appointed officials.
“All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence,” the Crown said.
Police Scotland confirmed former Scottish first minister Sturgeon had been cleared in its investigation into the SNP’s finances.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, criminal enquiries into two people arrested as part of the investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party have now concluded.
“The 73-year-old man arrested on April 18, 2023, and the 54-year-old woman arrested on June 11, 2023, have not been charged and are no longer under investigation.”
Operation Branchform has been ongoing since 2021 and is investigating what happened to around £600,000 raised by the party for independence campaigning.
Crown Office statement in full
STV News“A request from Police Scotland for advice and guidance in an investigation into a 73-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman has been responded to.
“The request was handled as part of a large-scale wider inquiry and without delay on the part of the prosecution service who recognise its significance.
“Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel dealt with this without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence.
“Where allegations are made against people or institutions in which the public have placed trust, it is the responsibility of the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there is evidence that criminal conduct has occurred.
“We understand public curiosity about this investigation. However, the Crown does not publicly share details of confidential inquiries where there are no proceedings in court. This protects the rights of the individuals concerned who are entitled to a presumption of innocence.”
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