DETECTIVES have not reported any cases for prosecution over the high-profile investigation into the SNP’s finances.
Operation Branchform has been investigating complaints about how £600,000 has gone “missing” from party coffers.
Over the course of the investigation, Nicola Sturgeon (below), her husband Peter Murrell and Colin Beattie have all been arrested and released without charge.
After her release, the former FM issued a statement in which she said she knew "beyond doubt" that she is innocent.
The Daily Record reports that it asked the Crown Office if they had received the final report on Operation Branchform.
A spokesperson told the newspaper: “The police haven’t reported any Branchform cases to COPFS for consideration of prosecution.”
We previously revealed how the total cost of the probe into the SNP’s finances exceeds the allegedly missing amount.
In a recent interview, Police Scotland’s outgoing chief constable Iain Livingstone said the investigation had widened.
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf: I'd reject British citizenship after Scottish independence
He said: “It’s moved beyond what some of the initial reports were. That’s not uncommon in investigations such as this.”
He explained that the force would not put an “absolute timeframe” on the length of the investigation but that it would be “proportionate” and “timeous”.
Livingstone (below) added: “Investigations into the finance of an organisation, the finances of individuals, are often complex.
“Investigations around fraud or investigations around potential embezzlement or investigations around the misuse of funds take time.”
Earlier this week, First Minister Humza Yousaf was asked if he was worried there would be any charges in relation to the case.
He said: “I’m not going to comment on a live police investigation.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article