Cost of police investigation into SNP finances tops £1m
Police searched Nicola Sturgeon’s house in April which involved a large evidence tent being erected outside the property – Andrew Milligan/PA Police Scotland’s investigation into SNP’s finances has cost the public purse[1] more than GBP1 million, it has been disclosed. The total cost for Operation Branchform of GBP1,084,620 up to the end of October included the cost of salary and overtime pay for officers plus vehicle hire.
The Scottish Sun on Sunday, which obtained the figure under a Freedom of Information request, said it also included the cost of the police[2] raid on the home shared by Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell, her husband and the party’s former chief executive, in April. A large evidence tent was erected outside the Glasgow property and a luxury motorhome confiscated from outside the Fife home of Mr Murrell’s elderly mother. Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell and Colin Beattie, the SNP’s former treasurer, have been arrested and released without charge pending further investigations.
The former first minister has denied any wrongdoing[3]. But Craig Hoy, the Scottish Tory chairman, said: “This hit on Police Scotland’s budget — which is already overstretched — could have been avoided if senior SNP figures were honest about their financial affairs from the outset.”
Police investigating purchase of Jaguar
Since July 2021, Police Scotland has been examining the SNP’s handling of more than GBP600,000 in donations[4] raised in 2017 for a second independence referendum. Supporters made complaints when accounts lodged with Companies House in 2020 appeared to show the SNP only had GBP97,000 in the bank despite the referendum never having been held.
It was reported last week that police are investigating the purchase of a top-of-the-range Jaguar,[5] alleged to have been bought by Mr Murrell in 2019. The electric I-Pace SUV costing around GBP95,000 is said to have been purchased from a dealership in Edinburgh. A Police Scotland spokesman refused to comment on the cost of the inquiry, saying: “As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.”
An SNP spokesman said: “Police Scotland is responsible for its expenditure and answers to the Scottish public.” Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism.
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References
- ^ has cost the public purse (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ the cost of the police (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ has denied any wrongdoing (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ handling of more than GBP600,000 in donations (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ purchase of a top-of-the-range Jaguar, (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism.
Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just £9 with our US-exclusive offer.
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