SNP MSP hits out at Police Scotland over cash probe after top cop reveals inquiry is still ongoing

A NATS MSP has taken a fresh swipe at Police Scotland over their probe into the SNP’s finances.

James Dornan appeared to suggest cops may be waiting until the 2026 Holyrood election to end their long-running probe.

James Dornan has taken a fresh swipe at Police Scotland over their probeCredit: X/TWITTER
His remarks came as Chief Constable Jo Farrell confirmed Ms Sturgeon and fellow SNP MSP and former party treasurer Colin Beattie were still under police investigation, four months after the ex-First Minister’s husband Peter Murrell was charged with alleged embezzlement of party funds.

On X - formerly Twitter - Mr Dornan referred to a Sky News post which said Ms Farrell could not say when the police’s Operation Branchform would end.

And in a clear reference to the next Holyrood election, the MSP told his 23,000 followers: “I have May 2026 in the draw.”

Glasgow Cathcart MSP Mr Dornan’s remark comes 14 months after he blasted Police Scotland in the wake of the arrests of Ms Sturgeon and ex-SNP chief exec Mr Murrell, and the cops’ dramatic raid on their Glasgow home.

In an interview with Sky News yesterday, Ms Farrell was asked about Operation Branchform and said: “That inquiry is going.”

Asked if Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie were still under investigation, Ms Farrell replied: “Still ongoing.”

Ms Farrell was also asked if she could see why people in politics were questioning the length of the probe.

She said: “We come back to the same point in terms of ... we have operational independence and we police without fear or favour and without any political interference."

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