Nicola Sturgeon's lawyer hits out at anonymous sources in police questions row
Officers had further questions in the wake of former first minister’s statement
The team behind Operation Branchform had further questions for Nicola Sturgeon even after she was interviewed by police under caution and submitted a written statement, The Scotsman has learned.
The former first minister was arrested in June 2023 as part of the high-profile investigation, which ultimately led to her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, being sentenced to five years and three months in prison after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
During her interview under caution at Falkirk police station, Ms Sturgeon provided ‘no comment’ answers, which her solicitor, Aamer Anwar, subsequently described as standard practice.
Ms Sturgeon then provided both Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPPFS) with what she has described as a “very detailed written document answering the questions that had been put to me.” She told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that she heard “nothing more,” with no further questions leveled or clarification sought.
But The Scotsman understands that although the written statement she submitted answered some of the questions investigators had, there were further questions police would have liked to have asked Ms Sturgeon.
However, Mr Anwar said the former first minister found it “disgraceful and beyond outrageous” that she was being asked to comment on so-called “background” briefings by the police or COPFS.
He said: “Whilst anonymous sources have desperately tried to insinuate guilt, it is clear following a two-year gold-plated and robust investigation, Ms Sturgeon was neither charged, prosecuted nor convicted of any offence.
“Ms Sturgeon is innocent of any crime and whilst that might be a source of annoyance for some, it remains a fact that it was Mr Murrell who was charged, tried, convicted and imprisoned for his crimes today.
“Ms Sturgeon remains angry, hurt and distressed about the devastating impact of Mr Murrell’s actions on her, his family, friends and the SNP.”
He added: “Ms Sturgeon was utterly deceived and let down by her husband whom she had trusted. Why he acted as he did will always be beyond her comprehension. She is utterly appalled that he did so and will never understand why. There will be no further comment.”
While officers considered seeking further clarification following Ms Sturgeon’s statement, they did not pursue additional questioning following direction from the COPFS.
A report submitted by Police Scotland to prosecutors in August 2024 made no recommendation for charges, instead seeking “advice and guidance” on whether there was sufficient evidence to continue enquiries into Ms Sturgeon and Colin Beattie, the then SNP treasurer.
Ms Sturgeon has consistently denied any knowledge of Murrell’s wrongdoing, and has stressed that she had no “conscious memory” of ever seeing the luxury motorhome that Murrell purchased. The £124,00 Niessman and Bischoff vehicle was parked at his mother’s then home in Dunfermline. Ms Sturgeon said it was “round the sides of the house which is immediately visible in the way that we went into the home,” and was “between the house and the next door neighbour’s”.
Ms Sturgeon was released without charge on the same day as her police interview under caution, and was later informed in March 2025 that she would face no further action. Mr Beattie was also released without charge and told the same month that he was not under investigation.
It is understood that neither police nor prosecutors would have any issue with Ms Sturgeon voluntarily publishing the written statement she had provided - something she has hinted at.
She told the BBC last month: “I’d take legal advice on that because it was a document that was passed to the Crown Office and to the police, but, you know, I can’t think of anything in it that I wouldn’t want - I mean, basically, it’s… some of the things we’ve been talking about and some of the items that I’ve read about in the press in recent days I was never asked about by the police.”
Ms Sturgeon has spoken of feeling “lied to and betrayed” by Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, saying he has never explained the crime to her.
A statement from the COPFS said: “On August 9 2024, police submitted a request for advice and guidance concerning Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie. This was not a report seeking the consideration of prosecution.
“Police did not charge and sought the Crown's view on the evidence, and whether there were further inquiries required. The police did not report anyone for consideration of prosecution for the crime of fraud.
“Once the SPR (standard prosecution report) had been received, prosecutors undertook further investigation. This is a routine part of serious case preparation and involves detailed consideration of the evidence, identification of any gaps, and requests for further work by police where necessary before a final prosecutorial decision is taken.”
Crown Agent John Logue said: “I recognise the significant public and media interest in this case.
“It is understandable that people wanted more information at earlier stages, but it would not have been appropriate to comment in detail while the criminal investigation and court proceedings were ongoing.
“As in all cases, prosecutors had to protect the investigation and act fairly to everyone involved. Criminal cases require careful, evidence-led preparation and decisions reached through normal legal processes.”
Mr Logue, who is also the chief executive of the COPFS, added: “The indictment in this case was served well in advance of the applicable statutory time limits. Decisions about the case were taken independently by prosecutors and Crown Counsel, applying the law to the evidence, and not by reference to political interests.”
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