SNP fraud probe moves into new phase as investigation expanded into new areas

He said: “It's moved beyond what some of the initial reports were, and that's not uncommon in investigations such as this.”

Opposition parties said the probe had “opened a can of worms”.

Police Scotland launched its probe two years ago after it was alleged £666,953 raised for the SNP’s second independence referendum was in part improperly spent.

The SNP has consistently denied any wrongdoing and several nationalist bigwigs were released without charge pending further investigations, including ex-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell.

Livingstone described the investigation as “prudent, thorough and proportionate”.

He also defended the decision to use a blue evidence tent outside Sturgeon’s home.

The 56-year-old claimed the tent was needed to “protect the interests of justice” and the individuals involved.

Livingstone added: “We’ve done the right thing. The rule of law and the interests of justice must prevail.”

Scotland’s police chief, who will stand down from his position next month, made the comments during an interview on Radio 4’s Today programme.

The only constabulary north of the border launched its investigation in July 2021 after receiving a complaint from pro-independence activist Sean Clerkin and six others about the fund for a second referendum.

When asked about why the investigation remains ongoing, Sir Iain said: “Investigations into the finances of an organisation, the finances of an individual, are often complex.

“Investigations around fraud or investigations around potential embezzlement or investigations around the misuse of funds take time.

“You need to go and obtain information from banks and other financial institutions. We can't just do that automatically.

“We need to go and seek judicial warrants for that. There needs to be a process around that.

“So the time that's been taken, in my judgement, is absolutely necessary.

“There's been a prudent, thorough and proportionate investigation carried out. I have been aware of this investigation since the outset.

“It has got a dedicated team of specialists who are involved in it and they are working very closely with our prosecutors, the Crown Office in Scotland, in terms of the steps that are taken.

“What I would say is that had we not carried out this investigation in the manner we have, I would rightly have been accused of a significant dereliction and neglect of duty.

“That's not the case. We've done the right thing. The rule of law and the interests of justice must prevail.”

The SNP has stressed it will fully cooperate with the police’s investigation.

However, opposition MSPs remain critical about the governing party’s involvement.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “It is right that Police Scotland is investigating every aspect of this case.

"From what was a single complaint, it now appears that there are multiple lines of inquiry and a can of worms has opened up.

“It is clear that Chief Constable Livingstone and his officers are working hard to shine light on this unedifying period in Scottish politics.

“A culture of secrecy has clearly enveloped the SNP and the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland deserve answers.”

Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy added: “Confirmation that the investigation into the SNP’s finances has moved beyond the initial complaint only highlights the seriousness of this investigation.

“We have also seen that Police Scotland have been forced to spend over £800,000 investigating the SNP’s finances at a time when police budgets are already stretched to their limit.

“As the investigation expands, Nicola Sturgeon and other senior SNP figures – including Humza Yousaf – must continue to cooperate fully with it and be fully transparent at all times.

“The murkiness surrounding the SNP’s finances is not going away and the nationalists are distracted at the worst possible time."