POLICE working on an investigation into the SNP’s finances have submitted a report to prosecutors.
It comes after Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, was charged in connection with embezzlement last month.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Police Scotland said that a report had been sent "in relation to a 59-year-old man who was charged on 18 April, 2024".
They added that the investigation dubbed "Operation Branchform" had not yet come to an end.
In a separate statement, a spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said that investigations into two others, a 72-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman, remain ongoing.
The police statement said: “Police Scotland has today (Thursday, 23 May, 2024) submitted a standard prosecution report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in relation to a 59-year-old man who was charged on 18 April, 2024, in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.
“Investigations continue and we are unable to comment further.”
A COPFS spokesperson said: “A standard prosecution report has been received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from Police Scotland in relation to a 59-year-old man and incidents said to have occurred between 2016 and 2023.
“Connected investigations of two other individuals, a man aged 72 and a 53-year-old woman, remain ongoing.
“Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel will review this report. They will make decisions on the next steps without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence.
“Before deciding what action to take, if any, in the public interest, prosecutors will consider if there is enough evidence. There must be evidence from at least two separate sources to establish that a crime was committed and that the person under investigation was the perpetrator.
“This evaluation will involve a thorough examination of the numerous witness statements and extensive evidence collected by police. Prosecutors may instruct the police to conduct further investigations before taking a decision.
“Decisions on how to proceed are taken by prosecutors acting independently and are based upon available evidence, legal principles, and the merits of each case. They are not influenced by political events.”
Murrell was first arrested, questioned, and released without charge in April 2023. He was re-arrested and ultimately charged in connection with embezzlement in April 2024.
His wife, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has also been arrested, questioned, and released without charge amid the police investigation into the SNP's finances, as has former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article