Operation Branchform is complete, senior Police Scotland officer confirms

The former SNP chief executive has been remanded into custody at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP.

He admitted the charges when he appeared at the court on Monday morning.

The 62-year-old, who is Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband, was charged with embezzling the funds from the party between August 2010 and October 2022.

Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston had oversight of Operation Branchform, the investigation into the embezzlement.

Mr Houston confirmed that Operation Branchform is now complete and the force is not looking to make any further enquiries.

Asked about the length of time the investigation has taken, he said: “Given the volume and nature of the real complexity in regarding the financial crimes that were committed, it has taken some time.

“But that was crucial.”

Mr Houston said the force’s investigation had taken officers “across Europe to unpick Murrell’s offending”.

“This is without doubt one of the most high-profile investigations in recent times and it is testimony to the work of Police Scotland officers and staff that has led to Peter Murrell’s admission of guilt early in the court process,” he added.

At the time of Peter Murrell’s arrest, sources in the SNP were critical of the police for erecting a blue evidence tent in the couple’s garden.

Mr Houston said this was necessary to protect the integrity of evidence being removed from the home as many of the items bought with stolen money were in the property.

“The fact is any breach of that integrity could have jeopardised the case,” Mr Houston added, speaking at a media call at Fettes police station in Edinburgh.

Operation Branchform has so far exceeded £2 million in costs to the taxpayer,

Asked if it was credible that those around Murrell did not know what he was doing, Mr Houston said: “As you were aware, we arrested and interviewed other persons during the course of this investigation, and after direction and engagement with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, no one else was charged in relation to those offences.

“Whether any of those individuals knew, their knowledge is certainly a question for them and not for myself.”

The senior police officer then went on to thank those who assisted with the probe.

“I would also like to thank the many witnesses who came forward to provide us with statements as we built the case against Peter Murrell,” he said.

“Their engagement with us was vital.

“Peter Murrell has shown utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him as the Chief Executive of a political party and his position in the wider political establishment in Scotland for many years.

“He abused his privileged position with access to Scottish National Party funds to divert cash into his own accounts and bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford.

“From 2010 to 2022 he spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on luxury goods while carefully trying to hide his criminality with false receipts and accounting.

“He must now face the consequences of his actions.”