Sturgeon knows 'nothing more' about police probe

Nicola Sturgeon says she knows "nothing more" about the police investigation into SNP finances 18 months after she was arrested and released without charge.

The former first minister, who was questioned by officers in June last year, said she wished the inquiry "wasn't there" but that she had no "control" over it.

She has vowed to co-operate fully with the authorities, and insisted she has done nothing wrong.

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, Sturgeon's husband, was charged with embezzling party funds in April.

In September it emerged that officers had sent prosecutors details of what they had uncovered in an "advice and guidance report" and are seeking formal advice on what they should do next.

The update was understood to be about Sturgeon and ex-SNP treasurer Colin Beattie, who have both remained under investigation after being arrested and released without charge last year.

The the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said at the time the police report was under consideration.

Responding to Sturgeon's comments, a COPFS spokesperson said prosecutors would review submissions from the police and would make a decision on "next steps".

They added: "All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence."

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said the force was awaiting direction from COPFS "on what further action should be taken".

Is it a surprise that Scotland's prosecution service is taking a long time to decide what to do about Operation Branchform?

The investigation began more than three years ago and presumably involves complex allegations of financial crime.

In May, after charging Peter Murrell, Police Scotland sent the Crown Office a standard prosecution report, detailing their findings.

A second report seeking "advice and guidance" in relation to Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie was submitted by the force in August.

The Crown Office has been working closely with the police throughout all of this so they would have known what they were going to say.

But police investigate and prosecutors prosecute.

The Crown's team will be studying the reports line by line as they decide whether someone should be taken to court.

What happens with Branchform will be the most politically sensitive decision taken by the Crown since the prosecution of Alex Salmond but the identity of the individuals involved shouldn't make any difference.

There's either enough evidence to put a case before a jury or there's not.

No matter how frustrating it must be for all of those involved, and for the SNP, this process will take as long as it takes.