Operation Branchform communications between Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and First Minister: FOI release

Information requested

1. The total number of recorded communications sent from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) (including the Lord Advocate’s office, Solicitor General’s office, private secretaries, and/or COPFS officials) to the First Minister’s Office / First Minister’s Private Office which refer to, relate to, or are labelled “Operation Branchform” (including any common abbreviations or variants), for the period: 1 July 2021 to 17 February 2026 (inclusive).

2. For each communication counted in (1), please provide:

• date sent (a list is sufficient), and
• if held and readily extractable without disclosing content:
  • the sender office and recipient office (e.g., “Lord Advocate private office” → “First Minister private office”), and/or
  • any document reference number.

3. Format / exclusions

I am not requesting the contents of any communications, nor legal advice, nor case detail.

Please include communications in the form of (non-exhaustive): emails, “minutes to the First Minister”, formal notes, briefings, or covering emails attaching such documents, where these reference "Operation Branchform”.

Response

The Scottish Government holds six items of recorded communications within the scope of your request as detailed below:

1. Email dated 20 March 2025 from Lord Advocate’s Private Office to the First Minister.

2. Minute dated 20 March 2025 between the Lord Advocate and the First Minister (attached to the email referred to at i).

3. Email regarding Media lines dated 26 March 2025 between the Solicitor General’s Private Office and the First Minister’s Private Office.

4. Email dated 19 January 2026 between the Lord Advocate’s Private Office and the First Minister’s Private Office.

5. Minute dated 19 January 2026 between the Lord Advocate and the First Minister ( attached to the email referred to at iv).

6. Email regarding Media lines dated 17 February 2026 between the Lord Advocate’s Private Office and the First Minister’s Communications team.

You may wish to note that the email and Minute dated 19 January 2026 is publicly available on the Scottish Government Website. Correspondence which mentions former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release - gov.scot.

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