Police issue update on Nicola Sturgeon investigation as SNP finances probe continues
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, her husband and former SNP CEO Peter Murrell, and former SNP Treasurer Colin Beattie were all arrested and questioned by police last year.
Police Scotland's Chief Constable has given an update on the investigation into the SNP's (Scottish National Party) finances as former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon remains under investigation.
Jo Farrell said she cannot confirm when the investigation, named Operation Branchform, will end.
She added: "That inquiry is ongoing."
Sky News Connor Gillies asked the Chief Constable about "political difficulties" with the investigation.
The police chief replied: "We come back to the same point. We have operational independence and we police without fear or favour and without any political interference."
The probe into the SNP's finances started in July 2021 amid the use of £600,000 in donations to the party that had been ring-fenced for IndyRef2.
Police have already spent £1.3million on the investigation, as of February this year.
Ms Sturgeon, her husband and former SNP CEO Peter Murrell, and former SNP Treasurer Colin Beattie were all arrested and questioned by police last year.
They all deny any wrongdoing, as does the party as a whole.
Last month, it was revealed that he SNP is being investigated by Holyrood for alleged misuse of MSPs’ expenses for the General Election campaign.
An anonymous complaint sent to the Scottish parliament’s presiding officer, Alison Johnstone, alleges that stamps paid for on expenses were passed to Westminster election candidates to use for posting campaign material.
Rules dictate that expenses cannot be used for party-political means.
A spokesperson for the SNP Holyrood group said: "These exchanges, whilst obviously light-hearted, are being investigated as is appropriate and we would expect the offices of MSPs of all parties to cooperate with the Parliamentary Corporate Body.
"Materials, including stamps, can only be used for parliamentary purposes such as representing constituents and campaigning on their behalf."
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “We take the use of publicly funded resources very seriously.
"Officials are investigating the matter to establish whether there has been any misuse of parliamentary resources.”
