Latest news with #Murrell
The National
3 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Police ignore watchdog's Operation Branchform forensics review offer
The Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) contacted the force and its oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) in May 2023 – but has received no response. A former SNP MP, who wished to remain anonymous, told this paper: 'Police Scotland, as an independent police service, has no legal obligation to allow the Forensic Science Regulator to review its forensic activities during Operation Branchform. 'However, to demonstrate transparency, appropriateness and fairness of the investigative process, it would be in Police Scotland's and the public's interests for it to do so.' A forensic tent was erected in Sturgeon's garden when police raided her and former partner Peter Murrell's home near Glasgow in April 2023. Murrell was later charged with embezzlement and is expected to stand trial at a later date. Sturgeon was arrested two months after police searched her house but was later cleared. Sturgeon announced in January this year that she and Murrell had separated and were to divorce. Photographs of police tents outside the former first minister's home was described by some as a potentially era-defining image in Scottish politics. READ MORE: Shock to see forensic police tent in SNP probe, says Stephen Flynn The police investigation into the SNP was focused on £660,000 raised for a second independence referendum campaign since 2021. The FSR, part of the UK Government Home Office, has no official jurisdiction in Scotland. However, because there is not an equivalent body to oversee the use of forensic investigation in the country, its services can be used in Scotland, if Police Scotland or the SPA agree to a review. According to its website, the FSR 'ensures that the provision of forensic science services across the criminal justice system is subject to an appropriate regime of scientific quality standards'. (Image: Getty Images) The FSR contacted Police Scotland and the SPA after it was requested to do so by a member of the public, who is an SNP member and wishes to remain anonymous. In a statement to the Sunday National, the forensics watchdog shared its last piece of communication with the member of the public from January 2024: 'As the Forensic Science Regulator has no jurisdiction in Scotland he has raised this matter with Police Scotland on your behalf and has been waiting for a formal response from them. 'You may also like to pursue this matter through Police Scotland as unfortunately there is no formal action that the Regulator can take regarding activities carried out in Scotland.' A spokesperson for the SPA said: 'There are live criminal proceedings in this case and it would not be appropriate for the authority to provide comment in relation to it. I would refer to you Police Scotland in the first instance.' Police Scotland declined to comment.
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bad Beat: Ole Miss' meaningless 3-pointer crushes Michigan State backers in Sweet Sixteen
Bad Beat: Ole Miss' meaningless 3-pointer crushes Michigan State backers in Sweet Sixteen Friday night's Sweet Sixteen matchup between No. 6 seed Ole Miss and No. 2 seed Michigan State produced an all-time comeback by the Spartans — and an all-time bad beat for Spartans bettors. While Michigan State won outright, 73-70, after facing a 10-point deficit, a meaningless three-pointer from Ole Miss' Matthew Murrell as time expired wiped out a win against the spread. The Spartans 3.5-point favorites and attracted a vast majority of all bets and all money at BetMGM. As of Friday morning, 79 percent of all wagers and 85 percent of the handle was on Michigan State, making this a horrible beat for the public and a great game for the books. Take a look at how crushing the buzzer-beater was. Murrell's heave clanked off the back of the rim before dropping through the net as if taunting the gamblers who were paying close attention to it. Absolute nightmare fuel for bettors everywhere.
Telegraph
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Sturgeon's husband's embezzlement case sparks secrecy row
Prosecutors have been accused of giving Nicola Sturgeon's husband preferential treatment compared to Alex Salmond by keeping secret the details of the embezzlement charge he is facing. Joanna Cherry KC, a former SNP MP and a senior lawyer, questioned why the 'full details of the charges' against Peter Murrell had not been published following his private court appearance on Thursday. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) only disclosed he is facing an accusation of 'embezzlement', but sources claimed that legal papers at the hearing contained a series of detailed allegations. Ms Cherry also expressed concern that the media were not been informed of Murrell's private appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court until long after it had finished. In a procedure distinct to the Scottish justice system, appearances on petition are always made in private without the media being present in the courtroom. But Mr Salmond left the same court to face a media scrum after he appeared on petition in January 2019 on charges including attempted rape and sexual assault. He was cleared of all charges in a later trial. Lord Pentland, the new head of Scotland's judiciary, has been at the forefront of promoting 'open justice', saying the public and media 'have a right to know what happens in their courts'. But Crown Office insiders rejected the allegations of double standards, saying that more information had been made public about the allegations against Mr Salmond as he was facing multiple charges. Although they acknowledged that details of the embezzlement charge would have been made available to prosecutors and Murrell's defence team at Thursday's hearing, they said this would not be shared publicly. They also insisted that the COPFS would not have informed the media in advance about Mr Salmond's appearance on petition. The secrecy row broke out the day after Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, made no plea or declaration at the court hearing. The case was committed for further examination and he was bailed. Police Scotland then announced that Ms Sturgeon, 54, and Colin Beattie, the SNP's former treasurer, were ' no longer under investigation ' after receiving 'advice and guidance' from the Crown Office. This marked the end of the force's Operation Branchform, which examined the SNP's handling of more than £600,000 in donations raised in 2017 for a campaign to fight a second independence referendum. SNP supporters questioned what had happened to the money when accounts lodged with Companies House in 2020 appeared to show the SNP only had £97,000 in the bank. In May 2021, Ms Cherry resigned from the SNP's ruling national executive committee citing concerns about 'transparency' about the party's finances. The former Edinburgh South West MP, who lost her seat in last year's general election, posted on X: 'I hope someone will also ask why the full details of the charges on the petition against Peter Murrell are not in the public domain. We are supposed to have #OpenJustice in Scotland & the same rules for everyone.' She also posted that she was 'not surprised' that the police investigation of Ms Sturgeon had ended, adding: 'I wonder when full details of the charges against Murrell will be published? This happened very promptly when Alex Salmond first appeared in court.' The Crown Office declined to add to a statement it issued the previous day in which it said: 'Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel are dealing with this case without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence.' The prosecution service had previously said that its two most senior figures, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain and Solicitor General Ruth Charteris, had recused themselves from decisions on the case. They are also the SNP Government's two most senior law officers and are both ministers. Ms Sturgeon nominated them for the roles in June 2021. The purpose of a private court appearance on petition is to put the accused on notice of the nature of allegations they stand to face, and allow for preparations to be made for proceedings by both prosecution and defence. Normally, an accused's solicitor will be provided with the evidence which has been recovered. This allows them to prepare a defence or consider a guilty plea. If the case is to proceed to trial, the formal accusation will be served in the form of an indictment within determined time limits. A Crown Office spokeswoman said: 'There is not an indictment at petition stage, there is the petition document which sets out a first draft of charges against an accused. This is part of preparations for proceedings by both prosecution and defence. 'Appearances on petition are always made in private without the attendance of the media, and an outline charge or charge list only can be provided to media to assist.'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sturgeon's husband's embezzlement case sparks secrecy row
Prosecutors have been accused of giving Nicola Sturgeon's husband preferential treatment compared to Alex Salmond by keeping secret the details of the embezzlement charge he is facing. Joanna Cherry KC, a former SNP MP and a senior lawyer, questioned why the 'full details of the charges' against Peter Murrell had not been published following his private court appearance on Thursday. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) only disclosed he is facing an accusation of 'embezzlement', but sources claimed that legal papers at the hearing contained a series of detailed allegations. Ms Cherry also expressed concern that the media were not been informed of Murrell's private appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court until long after it had finished. In a procedure distinct to the Scottish justice system, appearances on petition are always made in private without the media being present in the courtroom. But Mr Salmond left the same court to face a media scrum after he appeared on petition in January 2019 on charges including attempted rape and sexual assault. He was cleared of all charges in a later trial. Lord Pentland, the new head of Scotland's judiciary, has been at the forefront of promoting 'open justice', saying the public and media 'have a right to know what happens in their courts'. But Crown Office insiders rejected the allegations of double standards, saying that more information had been made public about the allegations against Mr Salmond as he was facing multiple charges. Although they acknowledged that details of the embezzlement charge would have been made available to prosecutors and Murrell's defence team at Thursday's hearing, they said this would not be shared publicly. They also insisted that the COPFS would not have informed the media in advance about Mr Salmond's appearance on petition. The secrecy row broke out the day after Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, made no plea or declaration at the court hearing. The case was committed for further examination and he was bailed. Police Scotland then announced that Ms Sturgeon, 54, and Colin Beattie, the SNP's former treasurer, were 'no longer under investigation' after receiving 'advice and guidance' from the Crown Office. This marked the end of the force's Operation Branchform, which examined the SNP's handling of more than £600,000 in donations raised in 2017 for a campaign to fight a second independence referendum. SNP supporters questioned what had happened to the money when accounts lodged with Companies House in 2020 appeared to show the SNP only had £97,000 in the bank. Credit: STV In May 2021, Ms Cherry resigned from the SNP's ruling national executive committee citing concerns about 'transparency' about the party's finances. The former Edinburgh South West MP, who lost her seat in last year's general election, posted on X: 'I hope someone will also ask why the full details of the charges on the petition against Peter Murrell are not in the public domain. We are supposed to have #OpenJustice in Scotland & the same rules for everyone.' She also posted that she was 'not surprised' that the police investigation of Ms Sturgeon had ended, adding: 'I wonder when full details of the charges against Murrell will be published? This happened very promptly when Alex Salmond first appeared in court.' The Crown Office declined to add to a statement it issued the previous day in which it said: 'Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel are dealing with this case without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence.' The prosecution service had previously said that its two most senior figures, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain and Solicitor General Ruth Charteris, had recused themselves from decisions on the case. They are also the SNP Government's two most senior law officers and are both ministers. Ms Sturgeon nominated them for the roles in June 2021. The purpose of a private court appearance on petition is to put the accused on notice of the nature of allegations they stand to face, and allow for preparations to be made for proceedings by both prosecution and defence. Normally, an accused's solicitor will be provided with the evidence which has been recovered. This allows them to prepare a defence or consider a guilty plea. If the case is to proceed to trial, the formal accusation will be served in the form of an indictment within determined time limits. A Crown Office spokeswoman said: 'There is not an indictment at petition stage, there is the petition document which sets out a first draft of charges against an accused. This is part of preparations for proceedings by both prosecution and defence. 'Appearances on petition are always made in private without the attendance of the media, and an outline charge or charge list only can be provided to media to assist.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Crown Office issues contempt of court warning after Peter Murrell court appearance
THE Crown Office has issued a warning after former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell appeared in court charged with embezzlement. In a post on social media, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) urged people to 'think' before they posted about the criminal trial – warning members of the public they could face jail if they broke the rules. The prosecution service said: 'Those who comment publicly on live criminal cases risk being found in contempt of court. 'If the court makes a finding of contempt, penalties can include fines and imprisonment. The legal proceedings can also be prejudiced. Think before you post.' Contempt of court is a crime and covers a broad range of actions which could be considered to prejudice or interfere with the course of justice in a trial. The Contempt of Court Act 1981 provides for a 'strict liability rule' in the implementation of the law, which it defines as conduct 'tending to interfere with the course of justice in particular legal proceedings regardless of intent to do so'. Speculating about the guilt of someone charged with a crime could result in being charged with contempt of court as could breaking anonymity orders if they have been made. (Image: Newsquest) Murrell (above) appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, where he made no plea and was bailed. His estranged wife Nicola Sturgeon was cleared by police on the same day, as was former party treasurer Colin Beattie, who had previously been arrested as part of Operation Branchform. The police investigation relates to £600,000 raised by the SNP which was earmarked for spending on an independence campaign. READ MORE: In a statement, Police Scotland said on Thursday: '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. 'The 73-year-old man arrested on April 18, 2023 and the 54-year-old woman arrested on June 11, 2023 have not been charged and are no longer under investigation.' A COPFS spokesperson said regarding Murrell's court appearance: 'Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel are dealing with this case without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence. 'These matters are active under the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The provisions of this Act protect the integrity of proceedings, preserve access to justice for victims, and secure the rights of people accused of crime. (Image: PA) 'Anyone publishing items about active cases is advised to exercise caution as material must not be commentary or analysis of evidence, witnesses or accused. Contempt of court carries penalties of up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.' Addressing the investigation into Sturgeon and Beattie, the spokesperson added: 'A request from Police Scotland for advice and guidance in an investigation into a 73-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman has been responded to. 'The request was handled as part of a large-scale wider inquiry and without delay on the part of the prosecution service who recognise its significance. 'Where allegations are made against people or institutions in which the public have placed trust, it is the responsibility of the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there is evidence that criminal conduct has occurred. 'We understand public curiosity about this investigation. However, the Crown does not publicly share details of confidential inquiries where there are no proceedings in court. This protects the rights of the individuals concerned who are entitled to a presumption of innocence.'
