End of SNP police probe 'helps' 2026 election campaign, John Swinney admits

THE end of the police investigation into the SNP “helps” the party’s hopes going into the 2026 Holyrood elections, the First Minister has said.

Speaking to SNP members in Perth on Saturday, John Swinney said it was a “huge relief” that the party would be able to campaign in the elections without Operation Branchform “hanging over us”.

The comments, which were recorded and shared with the Sunday Mail, saw the First Minister tells party members: “The Budget, the assertive political challenge we are taking forward, the reorganisation of headquarters, the strengthening of our political position, the improvement in our by-election results and candidate selection all helps us to make preparations for 2026.

“But the conclusion of the police investigation into our party finances also helps.

“We now know where we stand. The party has been the potential victim of an alleged embezzlement of our funds. That will now be judged in the courts and we can say nothing about it.

“But what we are able to do is campaign without an investigation hanging over us – and that’s a huge relief.”

Last week, polling expert Professor John Curtice said that the police probe could affect the SNP's vote and threaten the chances of a pro-independence majority after the Holyrood elections next May. 

On Saturday, Swinney further assured members that the SNP would “make sure we have the highest standards of financial control and governance in place” as he praised the work of party treasurer Stuart McDonald, the former MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East.

The First Minister then gave personal assurances that donations to the SNP would be used properly, the Sunday Mail reported.

First Minister John Swinney (Image: Jeff J Mitchell) He said: “I give you the assurance that our resources will always be used wisely, they will always be used to support the Scottish National Party, they will always be used to support independence and that’s the personal assurance I give you – from me to you. And you know I will make that happen.”

It comes after Swinney also said he hopes that former first minister Nicola Sturgeon can contribute to the SNP’s 2026 election campaign after she was cleared of wrongdoing by police.

On Thursday, Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and Sturgeon’s estranged husband, appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with embezzlement. He made no plea and was released on bail.

Soon afterwards, Police Scotland confirmed that the investigations into Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie had ended without any charges being brought.

Murrell is to appear in court at a later date, which has not yet been set.