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Deputy First Minister of Scotland (2004–2014)
First Minister of Scotland (2014–2023)
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Secretary for Justice (2018–2021)
Health Secretary (2021–2023)
First Minister of Scotland (2023–2024)
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Cabinet positions (2007–2023)
First Minister of Scotland (2024–present)
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Operation Branchform is a Police Scotland investigation into possible fundraising fraud in the Scottish National Party (SNP) that was launched in 2021 and is ongoing as of November 2024[update].[1] The investigation concerns allegations that £666,953 raised by the SNP since 2017 specifically to campaign for independence in a proposed second Scottish independence referendum was in part improperly spent on other activities.[2][3] The investigation has expanded to cover allegations of embezzlement, signature forgery, and misreporting of loans made to the party to the Electoral Commission.[4][5][6]
The investigation has seen the arrest of former SNP Treasurer Colin Beattie and former SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, both of whom were released pending further investigations, and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who has been charged with embezzlement of funds in relation to the investigation. All three and the SNP as a whole deny any wrongdoing.
As of February 2024, Police Scotland had spent over an estimated £1.3 million on the investigation according to a Freedom of Information release.[7]