The Scottish Conservatives are today urging the Crown Office to publish the reasons why Nicola Sturgeon was not charged in relation to Operation Branchform.
In the wake of Peter Murrell’s guilty plea to embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP to pay for a campervan, two cars and a host of luxury household items, many people are questioning his estranged wife’s claim that she knew nothing about his wrongdoing.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has today submitted an urgent question in parliament asking the Scottish Government’s law officers to explain why the former First Minister was not prosecuted.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Peter Murrell stole huge sums of cash from SNP members and supporters to bankroll his and his wife’s lavish lifestyle.
“Nicola Sturgeon was arrested during Operation Branchform and the public are entitled to know how and why the decision was reached not to charge or prosecute her. So far, no explanation has been given.
“Another key question is around the timing of the criminal investigation, which began in July 2021. Peter Murrell was allowed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors just weeks after the Scottish election, the timing of which was hugely advantageous to the SNP.
“Faith in Scotland’s justice system has already been damaged by the revelation that the Lord Advocate passed sensitive information about Operation Branchform to John Swinney. It is necessary for parliament to apply scrutiny to these key questions.”
Notes to editors
The urgent question submitted by Russell Findlay reads: To ask the Scottish Government whether the Law Officers will publish the reasons why it was decided not to charge or prosecute Nicola Sturgeon in relation to Police Scotland’s Operation Branchform investigation.