Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has committed to allowing the police investigation, known as Operation Branchform, into the SNP’s finances to proceed without political interference. The inquiry, which commenced in July 2021, focuses on the alleged misuse of funds intended for Scottish independence campaigning. Despite the arrest of high-profile SNP figures including former chief executive Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon, and Colin Beattie, Yousaf emphasizes the importance of a thorough investigation by Police Scotland, free from external pressures.

In a separate issue, British author JK Rowling criticized Yousaf over Scotland’s new hate crime law, labeling the First Minister as “bumbling and illiberal” regarding comments she made about transgender women. The debate over the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act has intensified, with concerns about whether the legislation could criminalize discussions favoring biological sex over gender identity. Yousaf defended the law, aiming to protect various characteristics while maintaining a high threshold for criminality.

Moreover, Rowling attacked Yousaf’s handling of the hate crime law, amidst claims of a considerable number of vexatious complaints that, according to her, could potentially waste police resources. Despite police determining her comments as non-criminal, Yousaf characterized them as “offensive, upsetting and insulting to trans people,” underscoring the division over freedom of expression and protection of marginalized communities.

An incident involving Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser was also spotlighted after a social media post led to a reported non-crime hate incident. However, Police Scotland confirmed that Fraser’s personal details were not recorded in relation to this report. His complaint, which includes alleged breaches of the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act, is under police investigation. The controversy surrounding non-crime hate incidents and accusations of political bias adds to the broader debate on the new hate crime legislation in Scotland.

As Scotland navigates these complex issues, including the scrutiny of the SNP’s financial activities and the contentious hate crime law, the discussions reflect broader societal and political challenges within the country.