Former SNP chief Executive Peter Murrell has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with embezzlement. He made no plea during a private hearing and was granted bail.
Operation Branchform is a Police Scotland investigation into possible fundraising fraud in the Scottish National Party. The investigation was launched in July 2021.
POLICE SCOTLAND STATEMENT:
‘Following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, criminal enquiries 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 18 April, 2023, and the 54 year-old woman arrested on 11 June, 2023, have not been charged and are no longer under investigation.’
The two individuals are believed to be former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie and former SNP leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, both of whom were questioned by police during Branchform investigations.