Timeline of Operation Branchform, the police investigation into SNP finances
Timeline of some of the most significant developments around Operation Branchform
The police investigation into the SNP’s funding and finances, known as Operation Branchform, has reached its conclusion with the guilty plea entered by Peter Murrell.
The party’s former chief executive has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 over 12 years, using the money to fund what police described as a “lavish lifestyle”. The investigation itself has been a significant factor in Scottish politics for several years, often sparking debate between 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 resigned from his role as the party’s treasurer, saying he had not been given enough information to do his job. Senior figures in the party, including Nicola Sturgeon, later disputed his assessment. Joanna Cherry, a vocal internal critic of the party’s leadership, also resigned from her role on the national executive committee (NEC).
July 2021 – Police open investigation
Police Scotland confirmed they were investigating after seven complaints were made around donations to the SNP. This followed allegations that money raised for campaigning towards Scottish independence was diverted elsewhere. The party said that “all sums raised for independence campaigning will be spent on independence campaigning”.
August 2021 – Party accounts acknowledge ‘concern’
As the party’s annual accounts were published, treasurer Colin Beattie acknowledged there had been “concern” about transparency over independence-related appeals that had raised more than £600,000. He said money raised had been “earmarked” through internal processes, though the accounts did not officially record a specified sum.
December 2022 – Loan to SNP emerges
In December, it emerged that Murrell had loaned the party £100,000 in June 2021. The party said this was to help with a “cash flow” issue after the election that year. Ms Sturgeon said: “The resources that he lent the party were resources that belonged to him.”
February 2023 – Nicola Sturgeon resigns
Nicola Sturgeon stunned the political world by suddenly announcing her resignation on February 15. She said this was not in relation to short-term pressures but because she knew in her “head and heart” that the time was right to go. During her Bute House press conference, she was asked if she expected to be interviewed in relation to the investigation. She said she did not.
March 2023 – Peter Murrell resigns
Amid the SNP leadership contest to replace Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell announced he was stepping down from the role he had held for more than 20 years. It came during a row over the party’s membership numbers.
April 2023 – Murrell arrested as police search premises
Mr Murrell was arrested on the morning of Wednesday April 5. There was a large police presence around his home in Glasgow as well as the SNP’s headquarters in Edinburgh. He was released without charge, pending further investigation, the same day.
April 2023 – Treasurer arrested
On April 18, party treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested and interviewed by police. His role is to oversee 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 in the day pending further investigation, and posted on social media that she knows “beyond doubt that I am, in fact, innocent of any wrongdoing”.
January 2025 – Sturgeon says marriage has ended
Nicola Sturgeon says she and her husband Peter Murrell have “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 charged with embezzlement. Meanwhile, the investigation into ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon and the party’s former treasurer Colin Beattie was dropped. Ms Sturgeon said she had a “cloud of investigation hanging over” her during Police Scotland’s long-running 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 the publication of the indictment, it was revealed that Murrell was initially accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party over more than 12 years.
March 2026 – Anger after Swinney given update on charge
Opposition parties at Holyrood were incensed after it emerged that John Swinney was given an update on the charge against Murrell before it was made public. The Crown Office said the “limited” information provided did not affect the integrity of the investigation.
May 2026 – Murrell admits embezzlement
The former SNP chief executive admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP over a 12-year period. He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on June 23.