Nicola Sturgeon, once a leading political figure in Scotland, has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the ongoing investigation surrounding financial irregularities at the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Nicola Sturgeon Exonerated Following SNP Finance Investigation
Nicola Sturgeon Exonerated Following SNP Finance Investigation
Former Scottish First Minister no longer part of embezzlement probe as her husband's case continues.
In a significant development for the SNP, the Scottish police announced on March 20, 2025, that former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will no longer be investigated for allegations of embezzlement related to the party’s finances. This announcement comes nearly two years after her resignation amid mounting pressure and scrutiny following her arrest and questioning in June 2023.
Sturgeon had been urgently navigating the fallout from the police probe, known as Operation Branchform, which scrutinizes the SNP's financial operations—a party that has played a pivotal role in Scotland's political landscape for the past 20 years and advocates for Scottish independence.
The inquiry led to charges of embezzlement against her former husband, Peter Murrell, the SNP's ex-chief executive. Murrell made a court appearance in Edinburgh but did not submit a plea concerning the charges levied against him. In a personal twist, the couple announced their separation earlier this year, indicating a further personal tumult amidst the escalating political drama.
Police Scotland’s statement clarified that both Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie have been cleared of any charges and are not under investigation, however, the statement did not specify their names, referring to them only by their ages. Speaking outside her home near Glasgow, Sturgeon expressed relief at the decision, revealing she was informed there would be no charges following a thorough review of the evidence.
This outcome marks a crucial moment for Sturgeon, as she attempts to pivot from the shadows cast by the investigation, while the SNP contends with its evolving identity and the reputational implications of the ongoing legal challenges facing its leadership.
Sturgeon had been urgently navigating the fallout from the police probe, known as Operation Branchform, which scrutinizes the SNP's financial operations—a party that has played a pivotal role in Scotland's political landscape for the past 20 years and advocates for Scottish independence.
The inquiry led to charges of embezzlement against her former husband, Peter Murrell, the SNP's ex-chief executive. Murrell made a court appearance in Edinburgh but did not submit a plea concerning the charges levied against him. In a personal twist, the couple announced their separation earlier this year, indicating a further personal tumult amidst the escalating political drama.
Police Scotland’s statement clarified that both Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie have been cleared of any charges and are not under investigation, however, the statement did not specify their names, referring to them only by their ages. Speaking outside her home near Glasgow, Sturgeon expressed relief at the decision, revealing she was informed there would be no charges following a thorough review of the evidence.
This outcome marks a crucial moment for Sturgeon, as she attempts to pivot from the shadows cast by the investigation, while the SNP contends with its evolving identity and the reputational implications of the ongoing legal challenges facing its leadership.
