A police chief has defended the search of Nicola Sturgeon’s house as part of a police probe into SNP finances.
Iain Livingstone, who is retiring as chief constable of Police Scotland, said he supported the decision to put a tent on the former First Minister’s property.
Detectives launched a fraud probe into how hundreds of thousands of pounds of indyref2 donations were spent.
The investigation escalated after Sturgeon’s husband - former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - was arrested.
The arrest included a search of the couple’s home, after which Murrell was released without charge pending further enquiries.
Responding to criticism of the search, Livingstone told the Sunday Times:
“Operation Branchform has been a long-going investigation.
“Police Scotland were asked to look at a number of assertions that were being made — we always do that, it is our duty — then we seek evidence to see if there is any substance in them.
“Then, as matters progress, at an appropriate time we discuss that with independent prosecutors under the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
“That’s what a search warrant is. When we carry out the search we will put processes in place that are proportionate and necessary to the action being carried out and to the inquiry and its terms, and I am satisfied that the steps we have taken are proportionate and necessary."
Asked if the tent was approved by him personally, he said: “I was aware of it and was supportive of it because I knew the circumstances and the rationale for utilising it, and part of it was to protect rights of individuals.”
He added: “Stating opinion or speculation without having the knowledge and information that exists is damaging . . . because it infringes the rights of individuals.
"Operation Branchform has integrity, it is expected to have rigour. If the operation had not been pursued I would rightly have been accused of neglect of duty.”
His comments come after senior SNP figures criticised the search.
Murray Foote, a former party spin doctor, described the probe as a “grotesque circus” and compared it to the failed prosecution into Rangers.
Noel Dolan, a former aide to Sturgeon, said the search had been “over the top”.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here .
