Nicola Sturgeon now not a suspect in SNP funds investigation

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has spoken of her reduction after it was confirmed she is going to face no motion within the Police Scotland investigation into SNP funds.

The announcement got here as her estranged husband, ex-SNP chief govt Peter Murrell, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court docket charged with embezzlement.

He made no plea throughout a non-public listening to and was granted bail.

Police additionally confirmed former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie was now not below investigation.

Making an announcement outdoors her Glasgow house, Ms Sturgeon stated had been advised she was now “fully within the clear”.

She advised reporters: “For nearly two years, I’ve had this cloud of investigation hanging over me.

“I believe it will not shock anyone to listen to me say that has not been a straightforward expertise. So to achieve this level at the moment is clearly one thing I’m relieved about.”

The previous first minister stated: “I’ve performed nothing improper, and I do not assume there was ever a scrap of proof that I had performed something improper.”

Along with a way of reduction, Ms Sturgeon stated the police announcement offered her with “a little bit of vindication as properly”.

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell just lately introduced they had been separated and within the technique of ending their marriage.

Mr Murrell was charged in April of final 12 months, having been arrested and launched with out cost the earlier 12 months.

He’s understood to have resigned his SNP membership.

Mr Beattie, the SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, was arrested and launched with out cost in April 2023.

Two months later Ms Sturgeon was additionally arrested and launched with out cost.

Police Scotland confirmed that inquiries into each Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie had now “concluded”.

The drive stated the pair had “not been charged and are now not below investigation”.

Mr Beattie stated he was “delighted” to be advised he was now not below investigation.

The MSP stated the inquiry had been “very laborious” for him and his household.

He added: “Whereas there was no query in my thoughts that I had performed nothing improper the very fact is that it created a query amongst those that have no idea me.”

Ms Sturgeon unexpectedly introduced her resignation as first minister and SNP chief in February 2023 after eight years in workplace.

She denied her determination was influenced by the police investigation.

Mr Murrell resigned as SNP chief govt a month later having taken duty for deceptive the media about celebration membership numbers.

In April 2023, the house he shared with Ms Sturgeon was searched by cops trying into what occurred to £660,000 of donations given to the SNP by independence activists.

Police additionally searched the SNP’s headquarters in Edinburgh and confiscated a luxurious motorhome parked within the driveway of Mr Murrell’s mom in Fife.

The investigation, referred to as Operation Branchform, has lasted virtually 4 years.

In September final 12 months it emerged that officers had despatched prosecutors particulars of what that they had uncovered in an “recommendation and steerage report” and had been searching for formal recommendation on what they need to do subsequent.

Ms Sturgeon introduced final week that she is going to step down as an MSP at subsequent 12 months’s Holyrood election.

Mr Beattie intends to face for election, although he’s dealing with a variety contest for the SNP nomination in his constituency.

This investigation has been operating for practically 4 years. That will not be a very long time in police work however it’s an epic interval in politics.

Not solely has this case been hanging over these on the centre of the investigation, it has forged a darkish shadow over the celebration of presidency in Scotland too.

It produced extraordinary scenes on the house Nicola Sturgeon shared together with her now estranged husband Peter Murrell, with a blue police tent pitched of their backyard.

In Edinburgh, officers searched SNP headquarters and carried containers from the constructing.

Some very senior figures within the SNP consider they’ve paid a big political worth for this police work.

They consider it was a contributory issue of their heavy losses finally 12 months’s UK basic election.

Nicola Sturgeon – who has at all times denied wrongdoing – as soon as indicated that her private expertise of the police investigation had been “traumatic”.

That doesn’t imply she is going to now search some type of redress. My understanding is that she is extra more likely to let the problem go and attempt to get on together with her life.