An independence activist who sparked an SNP police probe says he has been "ostracised" by other campaigners for daring to speak out.

Sean Clerkin lodged a complaint in March 2021 calling for detectives to examine how more than £600,000 of party donations supposedly ring-fenced for IndyRef2 campaigning were ultimately spent.

Police Scotland launched Operation Branchform in July that year following several similar complaints from other members of the public.

But the investigation has still not concluded and Clerkin said he was "frustrated about the lack of progress".

The anti-austerity campaigner, whose attention-grabbing protests have regularly made headlines over the years, revealed he continues to receive abuse for his actions.

He told the Record: "It has been a traumatic time in that recently I was told on Facebook I should be lynched by fellow Nationalists.

"I have been ostracised by others and wrongly accused of being an informant of the British state. But I still am fully committed to the cause of Scottish Independence, despite the hatred and the verbal abuse.

"I only want justice to prevail, as I believe good people gave money in good faith, and have been badly let down by the SNP.

"I believe those who gave donations for the ring-fenced fund for Scottish Independence should each receive a personal apology from John Swinney and should be offered a refund of their missing money."

The investigation ramped up in April this year when Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, was charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party.

He was previously arrested as a suspect in April 2023 before being released without charge, while the house he shared with his wife Nicola Sturgeon was searched by officers for two days.

The former first minister was arrested and questioned by detectives in June 2023. She was released without charge and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Cops at the home of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell
Police search the home of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell in April 2023

Colin Beattie, a former SNP treasurer, was also arrested and questioned in 2023 before being released without charge.

Police Scotland said it had presented the findings of its investigation to the Crown Office and was now awaiting direction from prosecutors.

Clerkin added: "I feel frustrated about the lack of progress in this matter.

"I fear that justice will not be done for the people that donated their money in good faith and there will be a whitewash.

"It should not take nearly five years to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion. I call on the authorities to take final action on this investigation now."

Sturgeon said earlier this month she knows "nothing more" about the police investigation into SNP finances 18 months after she was arrested and released without charge.

The former first minister said she wished the inquiry "wasn't there" but that she had no "control" over it.

She has vowed to co-operate fully with the authorities, and insisted she has done nothing wrong.

The former SNP leader said previously: "It's not something I have any control over and I don't think it would be surprising to anybody to hear me say of course I wish it wasn't there - but it is what it is and it will take its own course.

"In the meantime I'm getting on with my life, I'm enjoying getting on with my life and there's no point in me talking about things I can't comment on anyway."

In September it emerged that officers had sent prosecutors details of what they had uncovered in an "advice and guidance report" and are seeking formal advice on what they should do next.

The update was understood to be about Sturgeon and Beattie, who have both remained under investigation after being arrested and released without charge last year.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said at the time the police report was under consideration.

Responding to Sturgeon's comments, a COPFS spokesperson said prosecutors would review submissions from the police and would make a decision on "next steps".

They added: "All Scotland's prosecutors operate independently of political influence."

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "On August 9, we presented the findings of the investigation to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and we await their direction on what further action should be taken.”

An SNP spokesman said: "As this case remains active, it would be inappropriate to comment."

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