The cost of Operation Branchform, the Police Scotland investigation into SNP finances, has risen to £3.4 million, with spending by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service passing £1 million for the first time. The probe, which began in 2021, has examined how donations to the party were used and has led to the arrest and questioning of senior SNP figures, though the investigation remains ongoing years after it started, prompting continued scrutiny of its cost and duration.

The rising bill reflects the scale and length of the inquiry, which has involved detailed financial investigation and legal proceedings over several years. The figures highlight the growing burden on public resources, with critics likely to question the value and progress of an investigation that has yet to result in charges, while supporters argue a thorough probe into party finances justifies the expenditure.