Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister, is no longer under investigation regarding allegations of embezzlement linked to the Scottish National Party (S.N.P.), which she led until two years ago.
The Scottish police confirmed in a statement that the investigation, which had cast a shadow over Ms. Sturgeon since her arrest in June 2023, has concluded without charges against her.
Her arrest was part of an inquiry into financial irregularities within the S.N.P., a party that has significantly influenced Scottish politics for nearly two decades and advocates for Scottish independence.
The police investigation, known as Operation Branchform, resulted in embezzlement charges against Ms. Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the S.N.P. Mr. Murrell appeared in court in Edinburgh on those charges but did not enter a plea.
In January, the couple announced their separation and the process of ending their marriage.
Police Scotland stated that both Ms. Sturgeon and Colin Beattie, a former treasurer of the S.N.P. who was also arrested in 2023, “have not been charged and are no longer under investigation.” Although not named in the statement, they were referred to as a 54-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man.
Speaking to reporters outside her home near Glasgow, Ms. Sturgeon expressed relief, stating she had been informed that there would be no action against her. “In other words, I am completely in the clear,” she said, adding that this was the outcome she had always anticipated.
Ms. Sturgeon made history as the first woman to lead both her party and Scotland, serving as the longest-serving first minister until her unexpected resignation in 2023. At the time of her resignation, her reputation was strong, particularly for her communication skills during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Operation Branchform was initiated in 2021 following complaints about the handling of approximately £600,000 (about $780,000) in donations intended for a second referendum on Scottish independence. A referendum on this issue was held in 2014, resulting in a 55 percent to 45 percent vote to remain in the United Kingdom.
Following Mr. Murrell’s arrest, reports indicated that police had seized a luxury motor home purchased by the party, which was found parked outside his mother’s house.
The situation created turmoil within the S.N.P. as it adjusted to Ms. Sturgeon’s unexpected departure. Her successor, Humza Yousaf, served as first minister for just over a year before being succeeded by party veteran John Swinney.
In the previous year’s British general election, the S.N.P. won nine out of 57 seats in Scotland, a significant decline from the 48 out of 59 seats it secured in 2019. However, the party’s opinion poll ratings improved following early challenges faced by the Labour government led by Keir Starmer.
Earlier this month, Ms. Sturgeon announced her decision not to run in the 2026 elections for the Scottish Parliament, stating that representing Glasgow Southside had been “an honor beyond words” but that she felt it was time to pursue different opportunities in a new chapter of her life.