Report submitted to prosecutors over alleged embezzlement of SNP funds

Police Scotland has sent a report to prosecutors in relation to former Scottish National Party chief executive Peter Murrell.

Mr Murrell, 59, the husband of Scotland’s ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon, was in April charged by detectives over the alleged embezzlement of funds from the SNP.

The force announced the move on Thursday May 23, saying in a statement: ‘Police Scotland has today submitted a standard prosecution report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in relation to a 59-year-old man who was charged on April 18 2024 in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.

‘Investigations continue and we are unable to comment further.’

Operation Branchform was launched after complaints over how £660,000 of donations given to the SNP to fight an independence referendum were used.

Ms Sturgeon 53 and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie MSP  72 were also arrested last year. Both were released without charge.

The Crown Office will now study the police report and decide if there is enough evidence to prosecute Mr Murrell and if such a prosecution is in the public interest.

A spokesperson for the COPFS said: “A standard prosecution report has been received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from Police Scotland in relation to a 59-year-old man and incidents said to have occurred between 2016 and 2023. 

“Connected investigations of two other individuals, a man aged 72 and a 53-year-old woman, remain ongoing.”