The police fraud investigation examining the SNP could weaken the party’s chances at the 2026 Scottish election amid trust in its finances being dented, one of Britain’s leading political experts has told Sky News.
Professor Sir John Curtice said the long-running inquiry, dubbed Operation Branchform, could prevent John Swinney’s party from conducting an “effective ground war”.
Detectives have charged Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband Peter Murrell in connection with embezzlement of SNP funding and finances during his time as chief executive.
The pair’s Glasgow home was raided two years ago.
Sky News has learned that there are currently 10 senior officers working on the case – and so far, total police and prosecution costs have soared beyond £2.3m.
Ms Sturgeon, who announced this week she would quit Holyrood in 2026, remains a suspect after being previously arrested and released without charge.
Nicola Sturgeon with her now ex-husband Peter Murrell. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
The 54-year-old has always insisted she is innocent of any wrongdoing.
Polling guru Sir John told Sky News: “Operation Branchform is a problem for the SNP, insofar as it does make it more difficult for them to raise money. Because there are question marks about whether or not the party could be trusted with donations that are coming in that being spent for the appropriate purpose.
“And the party, at the end of the day, will want to be able to fight the Holyrood election with as much financial heft and resource as it can possibly muster.”
The SNP has been in power since 2007 but has endured a period of instability since Ms Sturgeon resigned as party leader and first minister of Scotland in 2023.
First Minister John Swinney. Pic:…
