Nicola Sturgeon has announced that her marriage to Peter Murrell is ending – with the investigation into the SNP’s finances still ongoing.
The pair had been central to the party’s fortunes for a long period of time. Sturgeon was party leader and first minister for eight years, with Murrell chief executive for more than two decades.
But they have been under scrutiny after both being arrested – and Murrell being charged – as part of the probe into party funds.
They have both denied any wrongdoing. But how did Scotland’s political power couple end up embroiled in a police investigation?
What is Operation Branchform?
The investigation into the SNP’s finances – known as Operation Branchform – was launched in 2021.
The probe surrounds £600,000 of missing money raised by the party for a second independence referendum.
Resignations and Murrell loan
In May 2021, party treasurer Douglas Chapman resigned from his role, saying he had not been given enough information to do his job. Fellow MP Joanna Cherry resigned from the party’s executive committee in the same month, saying she had been prevented from improving transparancy.
Just a month later Murrell loaned the party more than £100,000 . The next month new treasurer Colin Breattie announced that over £600,000 had been raised for a second independence referendum.
Murrell arrested
Murrell was arrested by Police Scotland as part of the investigation on April 5, 2023. He and Sturgeon’s Glasgow home was raided by the police, with a forensic tent put up in the front garden.
The SNP’s Glasgow offices were also searched. Murrell was taken in for questioning, but was released without charge pending further investigation.
Campervan
On the same day that Murrell was arrested, a high end campervan was seized from his mother’s home in Dunfermline.
The motorhome had a value of £110,000 and neighbours said it had never been moved.
Beattie arrested
Then-SNP Treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested as part of the probe on April 18, 2023. He too was released without charge pending further investigation the same day.
He resigned as party treasurer the next day.
Sturgeon arrested
On June 11, 2023, Nicola Sturgeon was arrested. She was released without charge later the same day.
There were some calls that she should be suspended from the party, but these were rejected by new leader Humza Yousaf.
Murrell charged
On April 18, 2024, Murrell was arrested again and charged with embezzlement. He was released that same day and resigned his party membership.
A month later, the police sent a report on their findings to the Crown Office. The investigation into Sturgeon and Beattie was still ongoing. Police Scotland chief constable Jo Farrell confirmed the pair were still under investigation in August.
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