Operation Branchform would receive UK Government agency help if asked, says Labour minister

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UK Government agencies would help with Operation Branchform if they are asked to, a Labour minister has said. House of Lords whip Ruth Anderson said the National Crime Agency and Serious Fraud Office "would wish to assist" with the investigation into the SNP's finances if they received a request to do so.

The probe into £600,000 of missing money which was ringfenced for a second independence referendum has been going on for three years. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon was arrested and released last year pending further investigation, as was ex-party treasurer Colin Beattie.

Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell was charged with embezzlement of party funds earlier this year. Anderson was responding to a question by Labour lord George Foulkes.

Foulkes said: “The minister knows that while justice is devolved, there is great concern here in the rest of the United Kingdom about the fact that Operation Branchform – which is dealing with very serious matters of fraud, of embezzlement, and of signature copying – has taken over three years now.

“It’s in no one's interest that it should drag on and on and on. So if Police Scotland ask us to provide specialist help from the National Crime Agency and the Serious Fraud Office, can we give them that help?”

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In response, Anderson said: "I'm of course aware of the Police Scotland investigation into the Scottish National Party. However, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an investigation that is currently ongoing and operational decisions are a matter for Police Scotland. Of course, if they were to make such requests, I'm sure that every agency would wish to assist.”

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