IS SNP PROBE A WILD GOOSE CHASE? LOOK AT RANGERS FIASCO

Murray Foote: Ibrox debacle proves high-profile inquiries can collapse

- PAUL HUTCHEON

A FORMER SNP spin doctor believes the donations probe could turn into a debacle like the failed Rangers prosecutions which cost taxpayers £50million.

Murray Foote claims that the police investigation has become a "grotesque circus" and compares it to failed prosecution into Rangers which resulted in a payouts over "malicious prosecution".

The SNP is in freefall over a police probe into how £600,000 of IndyRef2 donations were spent.

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who is married to Nicola Sturgeon, and ex-treasurer Colin Beattie were arrested before getting released without charge.

Foote, who quit as SNP media chief after he was given wrong information about party membership numbers, has spoken for the first time about the investigation.

He wrote that it was "worth" considering whether Operation Branchform is a "wild goose chase" and raised concerns about the authorities getting it wrong.