The Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain, declined to provide any comments regarding Operation Branchform as the investigation into SNP finances continues with no clear end in sight. Bain, who serves as the head of Scotland’s prosecution service, kept mum when questioned by reporters at the Scottish Parliament. Despite her silence on the matter, Bain clarified that she has abstained from involvement in Operation Branchform due to her affiliation with the Scottish Government.
Operation Branchform, initiated by Police Scotland in July 2021 following public complaints concerning the SNP’s handling of donations purportedly dedicated to independence campaigning, has been ongoing for an extended period. Initially focusing on the expenditure of funds raised during the 2017 and 2019 referendum appeals, the investigation has since progressed beyond mere allegations of fraud. The probe now encompasses suspicions of embezzlement, with inquiries delving into purchases suspected to have been made using party funds.
Key figures including Nicola Sturgeon, her husband and former SNP CEO Peter Murrell, and former treasurer Colin Beattie have all been subject to police scrutiny, with Murrell specifically facing charges of funds embezzlement last year. Notably, the Crown Office prosecutors have yet to disclose whether further steps will be taken in relation to these investigations.
In a recent development, it was revealed that police had submitted an “advice and guidance report” to prosecutors seeking clarity on the next course of action regarding the investigation. Despite this, as of late September, the authorities were still awaiting directives on how to proceed, indicating a prolonged and complex inquiry process.
The Lord Advocate’s refusal to comment, combined with the intricate and protracted nature of the Operation Branchform investigation, underscores the gravity and complexity of the situation. With significant figures from the SNP under scrutiny and the legal processes unfolding gradually, the outcome of this investigation remains uncertain as the Scottish political landscape navigates through these turbulent waters.