Tag: Operation Branchform

Operation Branchform: Peter Murrell charged with embezzlement

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.

Investigation into Scottish National Party finances: Peter Murrell charged

PETER Murrell has been charged with embezzlement in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.

Mr Murrell, the former Chief Executive of the SNP and the husband of former leader Nicola Sturgeon, announced last night that he has resigned his party membership.

An SNP spokesperson said last night: “While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment.”

POLICE SCOTLAND ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT LAST NIGHT:

‘A 59 year old man has today, Thursday, 18 April, 2024, been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.

‘The man, who was arrested at 9.13am today and had previously been arrested as a suspect on 5 April, 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party.

‘A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course.
The man is no longer in police custody.

‘As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.

‘The matter is active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media.

‘For this reason, Police Scotland has turned off the comments function on this post.’