FORMER SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and party treasurer Colin Beattie have expressed relief that they are no longer under investigation, as the party’s former chief executive Peter Murrell faces embezzlement charges.

Operation Branchform, a four-year investigation into SNP finances, now appears to be drawing to a close.

A Police Scotland statement said: “Following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, criminal inquiries into two people arrested as part of the investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party have now concluded.