Key Points
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Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she’s been “vindicated” and that there was “never a scrap of evidence” against her - Current First Minister John Swinney has said it’s clear the SNP ‘may be the alleged victim of embezzlement’
- Former party treasurer Colin Beattie said there was “no question in his mind” that he did anything wrong.
- Sturgeon has been cleared in a police investigation into the SNP’s finances
- Beattie is also no longer under investigation
- Sturgeon’s estranged husband and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has appeared in court charged with embezzlement
- Murrell made no plea, was committed for further examination and granted bail
The criminal investigation into Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP’s former treasurer has been dropped.
Sturgeon said she’s been “vindicated” and that there was “never a scrap of evidence” against her.
“I have done nothing wrong so I was confident of reaching this point and getting this outcome but obviously it is a relief to now have that confirmed,” she told STV News.
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.
John Swinney has spoken for the first time since the criminal investigation into the former first minister was dropped on Thursday.
“We are in a much clearer position today because what has emerged from the proceedings in court today is that the SNP may be the alleged victim of embezzlement,” Swinney said.
“That’s an issue the courts will have to consider.”
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.
STV NewsAfter 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.
“All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence”
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
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.
Getty ImagesA 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.”
Beattie said he is “absolutely delighted” that the police investigation is officially over.
“The time since then has been very hard for myself and my wife and being able to live a normal life again, without almost daily press reminders and speculation about the investigation will be strange for a while,” he said.
“While there was no question in my mind that I had done nothing wrong, the fact is that it created a question among those who do not know me.”
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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