In brief
Nicola Sturgeon, ex-Scottish First Minister, has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a police inquiry into financial irregularities within the Scottish National Party, solidifying her stance after a tumultuous period involving her husband's embezzlement charges.
Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister of Scotland, has been officially cleared of allegations surrounding financial misconduct within the Scottish National Party (SNP). This conclusion comes after a police investigation that had placed a significant shadow over the former politician's career since her arrest and questioning in June 2023.The inquiry, known as Operation Branchform, primarily investigated the party's financial dealings, prompting substantial concerns for Scotland's dominant political force, which has heavily championed Scottish independence over the last two decades. While Ms. Sturgeon has been released from any scrutiny, her husband, Peter Murrell, who served as the SNP's chief executive, faces embezzlement charges. He appeared in court in Edinburgh on Thursday, but entered no plea regarding these charges.The revelation of Ms. Sturgeon's clearance comes amid profound personal changes; she and Murrell announced their separation in January 2025. Providing a formal statement, Police Scotland confirmed that both Ms. Sturgeon and Colin Beattie, a former SNP treasurer also arrested in 2023, have not been charged with any crime and are no longer under investigation.In adherence to British police practices, neither Ms. Sturgeon nor Mr. Beattie were explicitly named in the official communications. However, Ms. Sturgeon confirmed that she was informed of her exoneration after a comprehensive review of the available evidence. Speaking to journalists outside her residence near Glasgow, she expressed relief that the inquiry had officially concluded without action being taken against her.
