Police probe into SNP finances has now expanded and is following multiple lines of enquiry, says chief constable
- Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone yesterday disclosed that probe has grown
A police probe into the SNP’s finances is now following multiple lines of inquiry as the chief constable yesterday admitted it has ‘moved beyond’ the initial complaint.
Operation Branchform was launched two years ago amid allegations that £600,000 which had been raised for independence campaigning was diverted elsewhere.
Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone yesterday disclosed that the probe has grown beyond the original allegations.
Defending the amount of time it is taking, he warned that investigations into financial crime and ‘potential embezzlement’ are more complex and take longer.
Sir Iain, who is stepping down from his role next month, also insisted the raid of Nicola Sturgeon’s home and the tent erected on her lawn was ‘proportionate and necessary’.
Police officers attend the home of Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon on April 5, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland
Asked why the two-year probe was taking so long, Sir Iain said: ‘You need to obtain information from banks and other financial institutions.
‘We can’t just do that automatically. We need to go and seek judicial warrants. There needs to be a process around that. So the time that’s been taken in my judgment is absolutely necessary.’
He added: ‘There’s been a prudent, thorough and proportionate investigation carried out.
‘The rule of law and interests of justice must prevail.’
The outgoing chief also announced that officers are ‘working very closely’ with Crown Office ‘prosecutors’ to examine the case. The police investigation was launched following complaints about the whereabouts of funds raised from donations in the SNP’s accounts.
Sir Iain disclosed that the scope of the investigation had ‘moved beyond what some of the initial reports were’.
Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM during the Scottish Police Authority board meeting at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh on June 21
On BBC Radio 4, Sir Iain insisted it was ‘proportionate’ to set up the tent. He said: ‘It absolutely was, given the circumstances of that search.
‘I know the full circumstances of the case – the tent was there, as well as all the other measures, to protect the interests of justice and to protect the individuals involved.’ Asked when he thought the investigation would be completed, Sir Iain said: ‘I can’t put any absolute timeframe on it, but matters will progress in a proportionate and timeous manner.’
When confronted with the chief constable’s comments, First Minister Humza Yousaf would not be drawn on what the police are investigating.
READ MORE: Why is the SNP being investigated and what happened? A timeline of events including Nicola Sturgeon’s arrest
The SNP leader said: ‘I just can’t comment on a live police investigation.
‘Whatever Iain Livingstone has said as chief constable, it is of course a police matter.
‘What we will do, from the SNP’s perspective, and we have done from the very beginning, is co-operate fully with any police investigation.’
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: ‘We all deserve full transparency from the SNP leadership on this murky episode.’
Tory party chairman Craig Hoy added: ‘Confirmation that the investigation into the SNP’s finances has moved beyond the initial complaint only highlights the seriousness of this investigation.
‘As the investigation expands, Nicola Sturgeon and other senior SNP figures – including Humza Yousaf – must continue to co-operate fully with it and be fully transparent at all times. The murkiness surrounding the SNP’s finances is not going away and the nationalists are distracted at the worst possible time.’
Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: ‘It is right that Police Scotland is investigating every aspect of this case. From what was a single complaint, it now appears that there are multiple lines of inquiry and a can of worms has opened up.
‘A culture of secrecy has enveloped the SNP and the Scottish Government, and the people of Scotland deserve answers.’
Source: Read Full Article