Senior Scottish National Party (SNP) executives have been arrested as police carry out an investigation into the party’s funding and finances.
The inquiry was launched in 2021 but ramped up in April as former chief executive Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were arrested.
Sky News looks into what police are investigating, who has been arrested and what the reaction has been.
Operation Branchform is Police Scotland’s investigation into possible fundraising fraud in the SNP.
Launched in 2021 following seven complaints to police, it is looking into whether £666,953 of money raised since 2017 specifically for a second independence referendum has been improperly spent on other activities.
Police are also looking into a loan of £107,620 made in June 2021 by Mr Murrell, while he was chief executive.
The loan was reported late to the Electoral Commission and two repayments were made later that year by the SNP, but there was £60,000 left outstanding.
Read more: Why have senior SNP executives been arrested and what are police investigating?
