A timeline of the police investigation into the SNP’s funding and finances, known as Operation Branchform, which has concluded with the guilty plea entered by former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell for embezzling more than £400,000
The police inquiry into the SNP’s finances and funding, dubbed Operation Branchform, has drawn to a close following the guilty plea submitted by Peter Murrell.
The party’s former chief executive has confessed to embezzling in excess of £400,000 over 12 years, spending the money to bankroll what officers described as a “lavish lifestyle”.
The probe itself has been a major feature of Scottish politics for a number of years, frequently igniting fierce debate amongst rival parties.
Below is a timeline of some of the most significant developments around Operation Branchform.
May 2021 – MP quits party finance role
MP Douglas Chapman stepped down from his position as the party’s treasurer, stating he had not been provided with sufficient information to carry out his duties.
Senior party figures, including Nicola Sturgeon, later challenged his account.
Joanna Cherry, a prominent internal critic of the party leadership, also stood down from her position on the national executive committee (NEC).
July 2021 – Police open investigation
Police Scotland confirmed they had launched an inquiry after seven complaints were lodged regarding donations to the SNP.
This came in the wake of allegations that funds raised for Scottish independence campaigning had been redirected elsewhere.
The party insisted that “all sums raised for independence campaigning will be spent on independence campaigning”.
August 2021
As the party’s annual accounts were released, treasurer Colin Beattie admitted there had been “concern” about transparency surrounding independence-related fundraising appeals that had generated over £600,000.
He stated that funds raised had been “earmarked” through internal procedures, although the accounts did not formally record a designated sum.
December 2022 – Loan to SNP emerges
In December, it came to light that Murrell had provided the party with a £100,000 loan back in June 2021.
The party claimed this was to assist with a “cash flow” problem following that year’s election.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The resources that he lent the party were resources that belonged to him.”
February 2023 – Nicola Sturgeon resigns
Nicola Sturgeon shocked the political establishment by abruptly declaring her resignation on February 15.
She insisted this was not due to short-term pressures, but because she knew in her “head and heart” that the time was right to go.
At her Bute House press conference, she was quizzed on whether she anticipated being interviewed as part of the investigation. She said she did not.
March 2023 – Peter Murrell resigns
Amid the SNP leadership race to succeed Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell announced he was standing down from the position he had occupied for over 20 years.
This followed a dispute over the party’s membership figures.
April 2023 – Murrell arrested as police search premises
Mr Murrell was taken into custody on the morning of Wednesday April 5. A significant police presence was reported outside his Glasgow home and at SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.
He was released without charge that same day, pending further investigation.
April 2023 – Treasurer arrested
On April 18, party treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested and questioned by officers.
His role involves overseeing the party’s finances.
June 2023 – Nicola Sturgeon arrested
Ms Sturgeon was arrested in connection with Operation Branchform on June 11 2023.
The former first minister was released later that day pending further investigation, and took to social media to state she knows “beyond doubt that I am, in fact, innocent of any wrongdoing”.
January 2025 – Sturgeon says marriage has ended
Nicola Sturgeon revealed that she and her husband Peter Murrell had “decided to end our marriage”.
March 2025 – Murrell charged as investigation into Sturgeon and Beattie dropped
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell appeared in court facing charges of embezzlement.
Meanwhile, the inquiry into ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon and the party’s former treasurer Colin Beattie was abandoned.
Ms Sturgeon said she had a “cloud of investigation hanging over” her throughout Police Scotland’s lengthy Operation Branchform probe into SNP finances.
She said: “I think it won’t surprise anybody to hear me say that it’s not been an easy experience, so to reach this point today it is obviously something I am relieved about.”
February 2026 – Charges against Murrell revealed
Following publication of the indictment, it emerged that Murrell was initially accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party across more than 12 years.
March 2026 – Anger after Swinney given update on charge
Opposition parties at Holyrood were furious after it came to light that John Swinney received an update on the charge against Murrell before it became public knowledge.
The Crown Office stated the “limited” information shared did not compromise the integrity of the investigation.
May 2026 – Murrell admits embezzlement
The former SNP chief executive admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP across a 12-year period. He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on June 23.