Police Scotland has spent more than £2 million on the investigation into the SNP’s finances, with overtime costs exceeding £100,000. The bill for Operation Branchform stood at £2,173,089 as of April 30, according to a freedom of information response.
The probe, launched in 2021, has involved several high-profile arrests. Peter Murrell, former SNP chief executive and ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has been charged with allegedly embezzling nearly £460,000 from the party. He is set to appear in court on Monday.
Police Scotland confirmed that £100,498 has been spent on overtime over the five-year investigation, and the £2 million figure does not include pension contributions. Scottish Labour criticised the costs, with justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill urging the SNP to clarify whether cuts to Police Scotland budgets are planned.
McNeill said: “Given the dire state of the country’s finances as a result of SNP incompetence, the SNP must urgently clarify whether they intend to make any cuts to Police Scotland budgets in the years ahead. Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill due to the actions of senior SNP figures.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson responded: “We are providing record funding of over £1.7 billion for policing in 2026-27, a 5% increase compared to 2025-26. Scotland continues to have more officers per capita than England and Wales.”
