A freedom of information request reveals that eleven police officers are working on Operation Branchform, a high-profile investigation into alleged fraud within the Scottish National Party (SNP). The investigation, launched in 2021, focuses on the spending of over £600,000 of donations received for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell, were arrested last year but released without charge. Murrell was subsequently charged in April this year with alleged embezzlement of SNP funds. Police Scotland has submitted a report to the Crown Office, awaiting their guidance on further action.
Eleven police officers are understood to be working on a high-profile investigation into alleged fraud in the SNP .
Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and husband Peter Murrell were arrested and released without charge last year. Murrell, who was SNP chief executive under Sturgeon, was then charged in April this year in connection with alleged embezzlement of SNP funds, reports the Record. Other figures, which were previously published, show the estimated staff costs for Operation Branchform stand at over £1.7m while police overtime is at £95,425.
The former First Minister also said last year that it was “beyond doubt” she was “innocent of any wrongdoing”.
SNP Fraud Investigation Police Scotland Nicola Sturgeon
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