Nicola Sturgeon has been released after police arrested her «under suspicion» of investigating SNP financial affairs. Photo: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images
Nicola Sturgeon's shock arrest was the culmination of an extraordinary series of events that ended hopes for a second independence referendum in a fraud investigation.
Once heading Britain's most successful political party, the former First Minister and her husband Peter Murrell have been questioned by officers six years after they first launched the controversial Indyref2 fundraiser.
The alleged scam was based on allegations that the party had misused funds earmarked for a second blow to Scottish independence, but became the subject of police operations in Scotland following complaints from disgruntled nationalists.
Here's how things played out:
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Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell. Photo: Reuters/Russell Cheyne, March 13, 2017
Ms Sturgeon announces the Indyref2 plan after the Brexit vote. On the same day, Mr Murrell launches the Ref.scot fundraiser with the goal of raising £1 million. The campaign included a video in which Ms Sturgeon called on supporters to sign a pledge to «support the Scottish referendum» and donate to the SNP independence fund.
July 2017
Crowdfunding shut down after poor election results, with the SNP losing 21 of its 56 Westminster seats. The campaign raised £482,000 after supporters were encouraged to donate amounts of £5, £10, £25, £50 and £100 each month, along with the message: «Your contribution will greatly benefit the campaign.»
April 24, 2019
Ms Sturgeon launched a new fundraising referendum on the Yes.Scot website, resulting in a total donation of £666,953. The website continues to operate and has been described as an «exciting new portal for independence», encouraging people to pledge their support or donate.
October 27, 2020
SNP accounts released for 2019 showed less than £482,000 in reserves, prompting a pro-independence blogger to tell readers 'You've been robbed'.
Colin Beatty, SNP Treasurer, issued a statement to «deny the rumours» and said donations are «woven» into the numbers.
March 20, 2021
Three members of the SNP Finance Committee resigned after being denied representation. party accounts. Frank Ross, CPA, Cynthia Guthrie, and Alison Graham quit after being denied access to the party's books.
March 26, 2021
Alex Salmond, former First Minister, founded the Alba Party in what he says was an attempt to create a pro-independence supermajority in the next Scottish election. He called it «a new political force» and said that two pro-independence parties would make it harder for Westminster to reject the referendum.
March 27, 2021
Sean Clerkin, an activist, contacted police about Indyref2 in the first formal complaint against SNP finances to others. Other complaints later filed with the Scottish Police.
May 6, 2021
SNP wins Holyrood election but falls short of majority after winning 64 out of 129 seats. Ms Sturgeon said her party's fourth consecutive victory was «historic and extraordinary.»
May 29, 2021
Douglas Chapman stepped down as SNP Treasurer after taking the position just six months ago. He complained that he never «received the support of the financial information necessary to fulfill his fiduciary duties.» Joanna Cherry resigned from the SNP governing body two days later.
Colin Beatty, former SNP Treasurer Photo: UNPIXS June 3, 2021 .
Mr Beatty returned as SNP treasurer after Ms Sturgeon said she was «not bothered» by her party's finances and that «every penny» of the independence crowdfunding fund would be spent on the referendum campaign.
June 20 2021
Mr Murrell loaned £107,620 to SNP to 'help with cash flow' the day after the party's governing body met to discuss funding for Indyref2. Mr. Beatty said he and Mr. Murrell are «responsible for managing cash flow and ensuring that all obligations are met.»
July 13, 2021
Police Scotland launched Operation Branchform. Officers received complaints from seven people and launched an investigation after talking with prosecutors.
August 11, 2022
SNP told the Electoral Commission about Mr. Murrell's loan a year late, the party's first late statement since coming to power in 2007. SNP initially stated that it did not consider it necessary to disclose the details of the arrangement.
September. 2022
Johnston Carmichael, SNP auditor of many years, retires. But this was not known until Mr. Murrell's arrest seven months later.
February 6, 2023
Ms Sturgeon said she «can't remember exactly» when she first learned that her husband gave her party a six-figure loan to help bail out his finances.
She said, «Look, my husband is an individual and he will make decisions about what to do with the resources that belong to him, in accordance with this, and I am here as the first minister, and it is for this I will answer.
February 15, 2023
Ms Sturgeon resigned as First Minister, saying she knew «in my head and in my heart» it was time to leave after eight years of leadership. She admitted she struggled with «unstable weather» ahead of her resignation, but said her decision was based on a «deeper and longer-term assessment.»
April 5, 2023
Mr Murrell was arrested at the house he shared with Mrs Sturgeon in Glasgow. The officers searched the SNP's property and headquarters in Edinburgh. He was later released without charge pending further investigation.
April 8, 2023
Ms Sturgeon broke her silence and vowed to «keep living and working» after her husband's arrest. Speaking outside her home near Glasgow, she said in a brief statement that the past few days have been «clearly difficult».
April 9, 2023
The police confiscated the motorhome from the home of Mr. Murrell's elderly mother. The £110,000 Niesmann & Bischoff camper sat off the property for two years before being confiscated. SNP sources later claimed that it was intended to be used as a «battle bus» during the pandemic.
April 18, 2023
Mr. Beatty was arrested and questioned by detectives. He was released without charge pending further investigation, but later steps down as party treasurer.
June 11, 2023
Ms. Sturgeon was arrested «as a suspect» by police investigating SNP finances. Police Scotland said she was in custody and being questioned by detectives in connection with an ongoing investigation into the «funding and finances of the Scottish National Party». She was later released without charge pending further investigation.
The report will be sent to the prosecutor's office and the tax office. A spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon said she «consistently said she would cooperate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so.»
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