Police taking no action over Rishi Sunak’s joke about Nicola Sturgeon
Police have confirmed no action will be taken against Rishi Sunak after he took a swipe at Nicola Sturgeon at the Tory Party conference.
The prime minister made a controversial joke about the former SNP leader during his speech in Manchester on Wednesday.
He said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon wanted to go down in the history books as the woman who broke up our country…
‘But it now looks like she may go down for very different reasons.’
His comments were in relation to a live police investigation into the ex-first minister, who was arrested and questioned in June as part of a probe into the SNP’s finances – dubbed Operation Branchform.
Ms Sturgeon has denied any wrongdoing, but the case is still ongoing – she stood down from her government role in February.
The jibe against Ms Sturgeon prompted the Alba Party’s general secretary, Chris McEleny, to file a complaint accusing Mr Sunak of committing contempt of court.
Mr McEleny said at the time: ‘The prime minister is commenting on, and making an assumption about a live Police Scotland investigation.
‘Operation Branchform is investigating serious matters of the upmost importance to the people of Scotland.
‘It is too important a matter to allow interference from the prime minister in this act of contempt when many people await the facts of Police Scotland’s investigation.
‘Operation Branchform should be free to pursue its investigation fearlessly without interference from Rishi Sunak.’
However, Police Scotland confirmed on Thursday they will not be pursuing the issue any further.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘We have received a complaint and, following consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, no police action is being taken at this time.’
SNP party treasurer Colin Beattie and former party chief executive Peter Murrell, who is Ms Sturgeon’s husband, were also arrested in connection with the case.
They were also both released without charge.
Police had searched the SNP headquarters and Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell’s home as part of the investigation earlier this year.
This week, Mr Sunak has been facing backlash for scrapping the northern leg of HS2 this week.
During the speech, Mr Sunak also announced that the smoking age is to go up by a year every year and strict vaping rules are on their way.
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