**Nicola Sturgeon Exonerated in SNP Financial Probe Amid Husband's Embezzlement Case**

Sturgeon, once a leading figure in British politics, was under scrutiny as her husband's court case unfolds.

Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister of Scotland and a significant political figure in the United Kingdom, has been officially cleared of any wrongdoing following a lengthy investigation into alleged financial misconduct within the Scottish National Party (SNP). The inquiry, which has been dubbed Operation Branchform, resulted in charges of embezzlement against her husband, Peter Murrell, who previously served as the chief executive of the SNP.

The inquiry led to Sturgeon's arrest in June 2023, casting a shadow over her leadership and the party, which has been central to Scotland's political landscape for the last twenty years. Following a statement from Police Scotland on March 20, 2025, it was confirmed that both Sturgeon and Colin Beattie, the party's former treasurer, would not face charges and are no longer under investigation.

While neither Sturgeon nor Beattie were named directly in the police statement, Sturgeon spoke out near her home in Glasgow, expressing her gratitude for the confirmation that no further action would be taken against her. This development comes in the midst of a personal crisis, as Sturgeon and Murrell announced their separation earlier this year. Murrell's case continues to progress through the courts, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the SNP as it navigates a turbulent political landscape.