Scotland's top judge suggests there has been a hold up to Operation Branchform

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scotland's top judge has suggested there has been a "hold up" to Operation Branchform. The police probe into the SNP's finances was launched in 2021.

The investigation is looking £600,000 of missing money which was ringfenced for a second independence referendum.Former SNP chief executive and Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell was charged with embezzlement of funds in April.

Sturgeon and ex-SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were arrested but were released without charge pending further investigation in 2023.Lord Carloway who is stepping down from his role as Scotland's Lord President, was asked about Operation Branchform in interviews with broadcasters.He said: "I know absolutely nothing about Operation Branchform.

I don’t know where the hold-up is, whether it’s with the police or the Crown Office. It looks as though there is a hold-up, yes.”The Record revealed last week that a proceeds of crime unit in the Crown Office was behind a ban on Murrell selling property.Documents also show the ban relates solely to the marital home the former SNP first minister and Murrell co-own near Glasgow.