Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon is no longer under investigation by Police Scotland amid a probe into the SNP’s funding and finances.
Meanwhile, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has appeared in court charged with embezzlement
Murrell, who is separated from Ms Sturgeon, made no plea to the single charge when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.
The 60-year-old was granted bail with his next court appearance yet to be confirmed.
Murrell, who had been SNP chief executive since 1999, resigned in March 2023 amid a row over party numbers.
The following month he was arrested amid Police Scotland’s long-running Operation Branchform and was subsequently charged a year later with embezzling SNP funds.
The probe, which has been ongoing since July 2021, is linked to the spending of around £600,000 raised by SNP supporters to be earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
Ms Sturgeon and ex-party treasurer MSP Colin Beattie were also arrested and released without charge as part of the investigation.
Mr Beattie has now been cleared alongside Ms Sturgeon.
MSP Colin Beattie. Pic: PA
In an update on Thursday, a Police Scotland spokesperson 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.”
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has warned that the case against Murrell is active under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
A spokesperson said: “Anyone publishing items about active cases is advised to exercise caution as material must not be commentary or analysis of evidence, witnesses or accused.
“Contempt of Court carries penalties of up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.”
COPFS said prosecutors and independent counsel are dealing with Murrell’s case without involving Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC or Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC.
The spokesperson added: “All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence.
“Where allegations are made against people or institutions in which the public have placed trust, it is the responsibility of the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there is evidence that criminal conduct has occurred.
“We understand public curiosity about this investigation. However, the Crown does not publicly share details of confidential inquiries where there are no proceedings in court.
“This protects the rights of the individuals concerned who are entitled to a presumption of innocence.”
In January, Ms Sturgeon announced she had split from Murrell.
The pair, who first met via the SNP in 1988 and became a couple in 2003, married in 2010.
The Glasgow Southside MSP announced their separation in a post on Instagram, revealing they had been “separated for some time now” but “still care deeply for each other, and always will”.
