Former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon cleared of wrongdoing in police probe into party finances

SCOTLAND’S FORMER FIRST minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared in a police investigation into her party’s finances.

Sturgeon and former Scottish National Party treasurer Colin Beattie were both arrested in 2023 but released pending further investigation in the probe, which was named named Operation Branchform by Police Scotland.

Sturgeon has now been cleared by the investigation.

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Beattie was also cleared by police, who announced the move in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Sturgeon’s estranged husband and former Scottish National Party chief executive Peter Murrell appeared in court today charged with embezzlement.

In a statement, Police Scotland said: “Following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, criminal enquiries into two people arrested as part of the investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party have now concluded.

“The 73-year-old man arrested on 18 April, 2023, and the 54-year-old woman arrested on 11 June, 2023, have not been charged and are no longer under investigation.”