A former SNP spin doctor believes the donations probe could turn into a debacle like the failed Rangers prosecutions that cost taxpayers £50million.
Murray Foote claims that the police investigation has become a “grotesque circus” and compares it to the failed prosecution into Rangers which resulted in a payouts over “malicious prosecution”.
The SNP is in freefall over a police probe into how £600,000 of indyref2 donations were spent.
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who is married to Nicola Sturgeon, and ex-treasurer Colin Beattie were arrested before getting released without charge.
Foote, who quit as SNP media chief after he was given wrong information about party membership numbers, has spoken for the first time about the investigation.
In an article for the Record, he wrote that it “worth” considering whether Operation Branchform is a “wild goose chase” and raised concerns about the authorities getting it wrong.
Speaking out for the first time since he quit, Foote said: “The fallout would have serious consequences for the investigating authorities.
“Given the grim spectacle at the house Peter Murrell shares with Nicola Sturgeon and at the party HQ, it’s inconceivable the authorities would be so cavalier without slam dunk evidence, right?
“Not necessarily. One word counters that assumption: Rangers.”
In 2014, David Whitehouse and Paul Clark, who were the administrators for the Ibrox club during their financial troubles, were wrongly arrested.
The Crown Office later accepted that the prosecutions, which related to the financial collapse and sale of Rangers, had been “malicious”.
Taxpayers have now paid out £51m relating to the fiasco.
Foote compared the SNP probe to the Rangers case: “The legal costs over the wrongful pursuit of those involved in the administration and purchase of the Ibrox club are upwards of £50m.
“So, the authorities have previous for high-profile inquiries collapsing in scandal.
“If they have spectacularly misjudged this one too, then the reputational cost will be far more substantial than the cash spent on manpower.”
He said if no charges were brought as a result of the probe then the police and Crown Office would find themselves in a “very deep hole”.
Foote, a former editor of the Daily Record, also claimed Operation Branchform had been conducted in an “extraordinary manner”:
“The use of forensic tents and a whole platoon of plod at the house turned a routine process into a grotesque circus, compounded by the storming of SNP HQ.
“Police diligently going about their business is one thing. What happened at FM’s home is something else entirely.”
Foote’s comments come after Noel Dolan, who was Sturgeon’s top special adviser for part of her time in Government, blasted the current probe.
He said: “I believe the police behaviour in the use of tents outside and invading the former First Minister’s home has been very heavy handed. It was completely over the top.
“I spoke to people involved with Police Scotland, and they made it clear this would never have happened to a Prime Minister. A Prime Minister would never have had a tent outside his house.”
Dolan called for MSPs to investigate the use of police powers:
“Once this case is over the way Police Scotland has handled this matter will have to be scrutinised by the Parliament.
“I think it’s remiss no-one has raised this issue in the Scottish Parliament.”
Cops investigating alleged fraud in the SNP recently seized a motorhome as part of their investigation.
Other items being probed are luxury pens, a fridge freezer and designer pots and pans.
Foote resigned in March after he gave an inaccurate statement to the media about the SNP’s falling membership figures.
The Sunday Mail reported a 30,000 fall, which Foote dismissed as “inaccurate” and “drivel”.
He had been given false information by the party and fell on his sword.
He said at the time: “Acting in good faith and as a courtesy to colleagues at party HQ, I issued agreed party responses to media inquiries regarding membership.
“It has subsequently become apparent there are serious issues with these responses.
“Consequently, I concluded this created a serious impediment to my role and I resigned my position with the SNP group at Holyrood.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “The SNP keep using former staff to try and discredit this police investigation - but they never offer up an explanation of how Scotland’s party of government was allowed to become so corrupt.
“The truth is these people do not want the answers the police may find because it may lead to them examining their conscience - and they may find they do not sleep so easy for having spent so long defending the indefensible.”
A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said:
“COPFS will continue to work with police in this ongoing investigation.
“It is standard practice that any case regarding politicians is dealt with by prosecutors without the involvement of the Law Officers.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
