POLICE Scotland must wrap up its investigation into the SNP’s finances before Hogmanay, the man whose complaint sparked the probe has said.
Activist Sean Clerkin, whose accusations of embezzlement triggered Operation Branchform, has said the police must conclude the investigation by the end of the year so it cannot taint the outcome of the next Holyrood election in 2026.
He said that finishing the probe before the end of this year would mean that if there are any criminal trials which arise from the investigation, they should be finished ahead of the next Scottish Parliament elections.
Clerkin said he has relayed his message to the police this week. He feels having the investigation hang over the Holyrood poll could prejudice voters against the SNP.
He told The National: “Operation Branchform, if it drags into 2025 and 2026, will stand accused by pro-independence supporters of being used by the British state to undermine the pro-independence political parties ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.
“I can see their point as some have pointed out to me recently.”
The SNP must also issue an “overdue public apology” over money which had been earmarked for an independence campaign, he added.
READ MORE: SNP accounts show £600,000 budget surplus amid fall in membership numbers
Those who donated should be given the option of a refund with the option of allowing donors to “write it off” as the party “don’t have the wherewithal” to return the full £660,000, Clerkin said.
One donor, former SNP member James Gardner, told The Herald last year that he had secured a refund of almost £500 from the party.
Clerkin said he did not want to “cripple the SNP” but added that he had no regrets “at all” about reporting them to the police.
He added: “All of what I have said above is the morally right course of action to follow. At the end of the day we all can only proceed towards Scottish independence if we are to be seen to have integrity, decency and honour. It is the only way we can live our lives.”
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been charged with embezzling party funds. His wife, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon (above), was arrested in July last year but released without charge.
The investigation, which has been running since 2021, relates to £660,000 which was raised by the party for an independence referendum but subsequently spent on other things.
READ MORE: Labour reveal major drop in membership levels during Keir Starmer's reign
Former SNP treasurer Douglas Chapman quit the role in 2021 citing a lack of transparency about the party finances which he claimed made it impossible for him to carry out his “fiduciary duties” while three members of its finance and audit committee resigned because they were denied access to the accounts.
It is understood that those who donated to the SNP during their indyref2 campaign fund drive can reclaim the cash.
An SNP spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate to comment while a police investigation remains ongoing.”
Police Scotland declined to comment.
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