Husband Peter Murrell appears in court in relation to investigation into SNP finances but no further action will be taken against former First Minister
By Bill Heaney
Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared by police investigating Operation Branchform on the same day Peter Murrell appeared in court for the first time.
The former First Minister was arrested by detectives in 2023 in relation to the SNP finance probe and was initially a suspect.
But now Police Scotland have confirmed that both she and former party treasurer Colin Beattie have been cleared of any wrongdoing, with the latter wanting to stand again as an MSPi
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, criminal inquiries 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.”
The announcement comes as Ms Sturgeon’s estranged husband Mr Murrell was granted bail at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in Thursday.
The former party Chief Executive of the SNP was charged last April and a file was handed over to prosecutors. He appeared in private on petition, making no plea. The case has been continued with a new date yet to be set.
Mr Murrell has been charged with embezzlement, with the press and public warned being about the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
A Crown Office spokesperson said: “Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel are dealing with this case without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General.
“All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence. These matters are active under the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The provisions of this Act protect the integrity of proceedings, preserve access to justice for victims and secure the rights of people accused of crime.
“Anyone publishing items about active cases is advised to exercise caution as material must not be commentary or analysis of evidence, witnesses or accused. Contempt of Court carries penalties of up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.”
Operation Branchform was launched in 2021 after allegations were made about how money raised for the SNP had been spent. Ms Sturgeon announced in January that she and Murrell were separating after almost 15 years of marriage.
Murrell was chief executive of the SNP for 22 years before he stepped down in March 2023 during the leadership contest to replace Ms Sturgeon. She took over the reins from Alex Salmond in the aftermath of the independence referendum of 2014, becoming first minister in the process, but announced her resignation in February 2023.
The former First Minister did not appear at Holyrood on Thursday, a week after announcing she was stepping down as an MSP next year. Her memoirs are due out in August and she has barely attended her place of work at the Scottish Parliament since quitting as First Minister.
A spokesman for First Minister John Swinney confirmed that he had been advised about Mr Murrell’s court appearance after he had finished FMQs. The news of Ms Sturgeon being cleared only filtered through during the briefing for journalists so no comment was made on this.
Top of page picture: Nicola Sturgeon and her husband who had been married for 15 years.