First Minister John Swinney has stated that the Scottish National Party (SNP) is now in a “clearer position” following revelations that it may have been a victim of embezzlement. His comments suggest that some of the recent challenges faced by the party could now be put behind them.
Mr Swinney also expressed his relief for former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and SNP MSP Colin Beattie, who have been officially cleared in the police investigation into the party’s finances. His remarks came after Ms Sturgeon’s estranged husband and former SNP chief executive, Peter Murrell, appeared in court charged with embezzlement.
Ms Sturgeon and former party treasurer Mr Beattie were both arrested in 2023 as part of Police Scotland’s probe, known as Operation Branchform, but were later released pending further investigation. Speaking to journalists in his office at Holyrood, Mr Swinney acknowledged the toll the investigation had taken on his colleagues.
“This will have been a very difficult and challenging experience for Nicola Sturgeon and for Colin Beattie,” he said. “I know they will be relieved by the outcome of the proceedings today. I share that relief for them and I hope this provides the opportunity for both Nicola and Colin to move on from the difficulties that they have faced while this investigation has been under way.”
SNP’s reputation under scrutiny
While Mr Swinney refrained from commenting directly on the live court proceedings, he acknowledged the difficult period the party had endured. He noted that the latest developments suggest the SNP itself may have been the victim of financial wrongdoing, which had contributed to its recent troubles.
“I think what people will now see is that the court proceedings that are now live involve the possibility that the SNP has been an alleged victim of embezzlement and that’s obviously a matter that will have contributed to those difficulties,” he said.
Under his leadership, Mr Swinney pledged that the SNP would maintain “the highest standards of governance and financial control” to restore confidence. He also reassured party supporters and donors that any contributions would be used exclusively for the party’s “essential work.”
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Mr Swinney projected optimism for the SNP’s future, insisting the party now had a “sound basis for optimism” in the coming years.
Impact on the 2026 Holyrood election
The First Minister was questioned about the potential impact of the case on the SNP’s prospects in the 2026 Holyrood election. While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, he argued that the party was in a more stable position following recent court proceedings.
“We are in a much clearer position today, because what has emerged from the proceedings in court today is that the Scottish National Party may be the alleged victim of embezzlement, and that is the issue the courts have got to consider,” he said.
“That, I think, indicates to anybody observing the situation that the Scottish National Party is in a clearer position today, that the issues associated with the investigation have been advanced to an extent that that point is clear.
“In that context, I think we can feel that some of the difficulties that we have experienced as a consequence of this investigation being under way have now moved on.”
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Restoring trust in the SNP
The SNP has been embroiled in controversy since the police launched their investigation into the party’s finances, raising questions about transparency and governance. The case has cast a shadow over the party’s leadership, with concerns that the ongoing legal troubles could impact voter confidence.
However, Mr Swinney’s assertion that the SNP may have been the victim of financial misconduct rather than a perpetrator could mark a turning point. If the courts confirm that funds were misappropriated, it could shift the narrative from internal financial mismanagement to one of the party suffering from criminal activity.
Still, the SNP faces a long road to fully restoring public trust. The upcoming 2026 Holyrood election will serve as a crucial test for the party’s ability to move past this scandal and refocus on governance.
As legal proceedings continue, all eyes will be on how the SNP navigates this challenging period. Mr Swinney’s leadership will be under scrutiny as he seeks to steady the party and reassure both members and the Scottish electorate that the SNP remains a credible force in Scottish politics.
