IN THE DOCK
Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell appears in court charged with embezzlement amid SNP finance probe
Prosecutors have also responded to a police request about Operation Branchform
NICOLA Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell has appeared in court today amid the probe into SNP finances.
He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with embezzlement.
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Mr Murrell made no plea and the case was continued.
The former SNP chief executive will return to court, but no date has been set.
Murrell, 60, was arrested in 2023 in relation to a police probe into the party's finances.
He was later re-arrested and charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of party funds.
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A spokesperson for COPFS said: “Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel are dealing with this case without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence."
He has separated from ex-FM Nicola Sturgeon, who announced earlier this year that the couple have “decided to end” their marriage.
It was also revealed that Ms Sturgeon and ex-party treasurer Colin Beattie been CLEARED of any wrongdoing amid the probe.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, criminal enquiries into two people arrested as part of the investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party have now concluded.
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"The 73 year-old man arrested on 18 April, 2023, and the 54 year-old woman arrested on 11 June, 2023, have not been charged and are no longer under investigation."
Both Sturgeon and Beattie were arrested and released without charged in May 2023.
John Swinney says he's not been asked by cops for Branchform chat
The Crown Office spokesperson added: “A request from Police Scotland for advice and guidance in an investigation into a 73-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman has been responded to.
“The request was handled as part of a large-scale wider inquiry and without delay on the part of the prosecution service who recognise its significance.
“Where allegations are made against people or institutions in which the public have placed trust, it is the responsibility of the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there is evidence that criminal conduct has occurred.
“We understand public curiosity about this investigation. However, the Crown does not publicly share details of confidential inquiries where there are no proceedings in court.
"This protects the rights of the individuals concerned who are entitled to a presumption of innocence.”
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