Humza Yousaf refuses to comment on Operation Branchform as activist calls for police update

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Humza Yousaf has refused to comment on the long-running investigation into SNP finances amid calls for police to provide an update on its progress.Detectives launched Operation Branchform in July 2021 following complaints over how the party had spent donations supposedly ring-fenced for independence campaigning.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 charge.The former first minister has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.Questions have been since been asked over the cost and length of time Branchform has taken with as yet no report being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.Appearing on BBC Scotland today, Youasf was asked if he would prefer the investigation to be concluded before the general election campaign later this year."I've been asked this question for almost a year, since I've been party leader, and my response has been the same," the First Minister said."I think it's important for me not to comment on a live police investigation.

If I did so, if I answered your question, it could be seen as prejudicing an ongoing inquiry."And I don't intend to do that.

It can be, frankly, difficult at times. But it's important to me not to comment."It comes as the independence activist whose complaint triggered the investigation into the SNP’s finances has urged Scotland’s top police officer to explain why it is still running after almost three years.Sean Clerkin said Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell should provide an update on Operation