Police ‘awaiting instructions’ after sending report on SNP investigation to Crown Office

The BBC reported that the findings were an “advice and guidance report” on former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie.

Former party leader Peter Murrell, Ms Sturgeon’s husband, was charged by police on 18 April this year with embezzling party funds; a report was later sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Police have been investigating the SNP’s finances since 2021 as part of an investigation known as Operation Branchform.

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie were arrested last year and both released without charge pending investigations.

On Thursday, a Scottish Police spokeswoman said: “On 9 August 2024, we presented the findings of the investigation to date to the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service and await their instructions on what further action to take.”

The Crown Office continues to examine the report received on Mr Murrell, which relates to “incidents alleged to have occurred between 2016 and 2023”.

During the election campaign to succeed Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell resigned from his position as chief executive, a position he held for more than 20 years.