Investigation widened into ‘missing’ SNP donations

POLICE SCOTLAND are investigating high-value transactions including vehicle purchases made by the SNP, in an inquiry into alleged missing party funds.

It is understood that detectives have questioned senior SNP figures about items of spending and also gifts dating back to 2018 as part of the investigation, codenamed Operation Branchform.

Crown prosecutors are directing the inquiry, which was prompted by at least 19 criminal complaints that £600,000 of donations to a “ring-fenced” referendum fund had been misappropriated.

Nicola Sturgeon last week said she and her husband Peter Murrell, the SNP’S former chief executive, had yet to be spoken to as part of investigation.

The First Minister said she would not comment on the ongoing investigation but denied any knowledge about a potential police interview. However, a source told the Sunday

“Police are particularly interested in vehicle purchases and other items of capital expenditure.

“Some of the people spoken to have been surprised to find questioning focused on this rather than donations.”

The most recent accounts filed for the party show a £80,632 “tangible asset” of “motor vehicles”.

Complaints from SNP supporters began after accounts lodged with Companies House in 2020 showed the party only had £97,000 in the bank, forcing the it to admit that the £600,000 had not been set aside.

The party claimed the donated cash had been “earmarked” for a future campaign through a process that would “ensure that pound for pound that total will be spent on that campaign”.

Only three days before Ms Sturgeon last month announced she would resign, it emerged that police had started contacting key witnesses to take substantive statements.

An SNP spokesman said: “We will cooperate fully with the police investigation and make no further comment.”