SNP accused of being 'obstructive' during probe into party finances

Published: 18:35, 26 July 2026 | Updated: 18:37, 26 July 2026 Police sources have claimed the SNP was ‘unhelpful’ and ‘obstructive’ during the probe into the party’s finances. Detectives sought warrants for specific documents after delay tactics and refusal to hand over information, the insider alleged. They claimed there was also a plan to re-interview former first minister Nicola Sturgeon after she submitted a written statement following her arrest in 2023. The SNP has come under increased pressure to hold a probe into the Peter Murrell embezzlement saga. The party’s ex chief executive and Ms Sturgeon’s estranged husband admitted stealing more than £400,000 from its coffers between 2010 and 2022 while still in office. He was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for the crime in June. First Minister John Swinney has repeatedly refused demands for an inquiry saying there is no need for one because of the ‘forensic’ investigation into the case. He has also painted a picture of the SNP as a victim. Peter Murrell admitted stealing more than £400,000 from SNP coffers between 2010 and 2022 Nicola Sturgeon is now estranged from her husband Peter Murrell Previously the party claimed it was ‘co-operating fully’ with the investigation. However, the police insider told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘Fully co-operated? It was anything but. Nothing could be further from the truth. ‘At each and every turn they obstructed it, and put up obstacles. That is one of the reasons the investigation took so long. ‘Even as the police made progress on the case, they [the SNP] continued to make things difficult by being not just unhelpful, but obstructive. ‘When the team tried to pursue lines of inquiry, for example, seeking further information and documentation, there was reluctance and procrastination. Warrants were sought. They were very non-co-operative for people who say they are the victims in this case.’ The source added the plan to re-interview Ms Sturgeon was dropped following discussions with the Crown Office, and last year police said she would not be facing any further action. Despite pledging to publish the written statement, given after her ‘no comment’ interview with police, her lawyer Aamer Anwar said earlier this month the document would not be made public. He said: ‘Ms Sturgeon’s detailed statement produced for Police Scotland was to assist them with their inquiries; not for those who think they could now do a better job than the robust “gold-plated” financial crime investigation.’ And the insider claimed one of the reasons Operation Branchform, launched in 2021 after independence supporters made a complaint to police about missing funds, took so long was the delaying tactics SNP used during the probe. First Minister John Swinney has repeatedly refused demands for an inquiry The combined total of spending by prosecutors and Police Scotland is around £3.4million on the investigation The Mail revealed last week the cost of the criminal investigation has risen to nearly £3.5million. Data released by the Crown Office stated its expenditure on the five-year probe has topped £1million – up from around £840,000 in February.  The new figures mean the combined total of spending by prosecutors and Police Scotland is around £3.4million. An SNP spokesman said: 'A comprehensive investigation was carried out by Police Scotland in which every relevant aspect was thoroughly examined. 'Over the course of those enquiries, Police Scotland uncovered that the SNP had been the victim of embezzlement by its former chief executive.’