THE police investigation into the SNP’s finances is a “farce”, an MSP for the party has claimed.
James Dornan, who represents Glasgow Cathcart at Holyrood, also appeared to suggest that the probe dubbed Operation Branchform would be deliberately brought to an end at the same time as the next Scottish Parliament elections.
His comments came after Jo Farrell, the chief constable of Police Scotland, confirmed that an investigation into former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and SNP MSP Colin Beattie was “still ongoing”.
Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, Farrell was also asked about the length of the probe, which was opened in July 2021.
She responded: “We, I have operational independence and we police without fear or favour and without any political interference."
Sky News reported that Farrell had not been able to “say when Operation Branchform will end”. Dornan shared the post on Twitter/X and wrote: “I have May 2026 in the draw.”
The next Holyrood elections are due to be held on May 7, 2026.
I have May 2026 in the draw. https://t.co/3TYfVL5wzI
— James Dornan SNP (@glasgowcathcart) August 14, 2024
Responding to a social media user who asked why the SNP were “accepting” the length of the investigation, Dornan said: “The minute we’re seen to even attempt to interfere in police business we would, rightly, be slaughtered.
“The whole thing is a farce imo [in my opinion] and there are questions for the police to answer but we need to keep our distance.”
Responding to other users on Twitter/X, Dornan went on: “I don’t think it’s affecting party members much, they see it for what I see it, but it does allow others to use it as a weapon whilst pretending they care about truth and honesty.”
He also repeated the “farce” allegation after one user wrote: “Imagine there was no credible evidence of corruption in the SNP. You wouldn't need to be worrying about dates clashing with elections.”
Dornan responded: “And imagine if there was, then this farce would have been over with months, if not years, ago.”
Asked if he was “familiar with complex financial/fraud investigations”, the SNP MSP added: “I sure am, and this doesn’t appear to be one of them.”
Operation Branchform has seen Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, arrested and charged in connection with allegations of embezzlement.
Beattie and Sturgeon were both arrested, questioned, and released without charge amid the police investigation into the SNP's finances in April and June 2023 respectively.
Police Scotland declined to comment.
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