Iain Livingstone, the former chief constable, defends the long-running investigation into SNP finances by Police Scotland, stating it was proportionate and necessary. Despite high-profile arrests, no final report has been passed to prosecutors yet. Livingstone emphasizes acting in the interests of justice and the rule of law.
A former top cop has defended Police Scotland 's long-running investigation into SNP finances. Iain Livingstone, who retired as chief constable last year, insisted Operation Branchform was "proportionate and necessary". Detectives launched the investigation in July 2021 following complaints over how the party had spent donations supposedly ring-fenced for independence campaigning.
But despite the high-profile arrests of three senior Nationalists last year - all of whom were later released without charge - no final report has yet been passed from Police Scotland to prosecutors. "We have always acted in the interests of justice and the rule of law," Livingstone told the Herald. "The political circumstances are around us at all times. "I know we have acted with due process. "But I have been retired a matter of months now and the matter of Branchform is no longer a matter for me." Livingstone was also asked about previous comments on the need for a swift resolution to the long-running investigation. The investigation was ramped up in spring 2023 when a house belonging to Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, was searched by officers for two days. Sturgeon and Murrell were also both separately interviewed by detectives for several hours last year before being released without charg
Former Top Cop Police Scotland Investigation SNP Finances Operation Branchform Complaints Donations Independence Campaigning Arrests Prosecutors Justice Rule Of Law Nicola Sturgeon Peter Murrell
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SNP want seized campervan back from police as they claim it is party assetThe £110,000 vehicle is at the centre of a major police investigation into the party’s finances.
Read more »
Police give 'do not approach' warning in hunt for wanted man with Scotland linksFarid Boughlan, 41, is being looked for by West Midlands Police following an alleged breach of his bail conditions.
Read more »
Police Scotland apologise to Emma Caldwell's family and Iain Packer's victimsThe force said a number of women and girls who showed remarkable courage to speak up at that time did not get the justice they deserved.
Read more »
Cops swoop on Scots street after reports of 'XL bully incident'Officers from Police Scotland rushed to Broughton Place in the Shawhead area of Coatbridge.
Read more »
Motorbike stolen from tourist in Scotland five years ago used in police chaseOfficers from Greater Manchester Police spotted the motorcyle in Salford in September last year before working Interpol to trace the rightful owner.
Read more »
Owners of sex shop listed by Police Scotland as 'hate crime reporting centre' defend credentialsThe owners of a sex shop in Glasgow have accused a Conservative MSP of putting their staff's safety 'at risk' with 'clueless' comments.
Read more »