Ex-SNP treasurer Colin Beattie knew about campervan - but not at time of purchase

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie knew about the £100,000 campervan linked to an on-going probe into the party's finances - but only after it was purchased and he saw the annual accounts.The Musselburgh MSP has clarified he became aware of the transaction via the party's 2021 annual accounts after telling journalists outside the Scottish Parliament he had no knowledge of the motorhome.

A statement from Beattie reads: "This afternoon I was asked if I knew about the motorhome purchase to which I answered no. Given some of the coverage of this answer, I believe it is important to clarify that I was unaware of the transaction at the time of purchase. "I became aware of the transaction via the 2021 annual accounts."Last week, Beattie was arrested by police in connection to Operation Branchform but was subsequently released without charge, pending further police investigation.

The vehicle, a Niesmann + Bischoff , which can sell for as much as £110,000, was seized by police from the home of the mother of Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell - the former SNP chief executive - on April 5.At the same time, Murrell was arrested by police in connection with Operation Branchform, but was later released without charge.

Neighbours claimed the motorhome had sat on the driveway of the house in Dunfermline since January 2021.The Record previously revealed how the motorhome was bought as a potential "battle bus" ahead of the last Scottish Parliament election in May of that year but was never used.It is understood to be currently sitting in a police yard in Glasgow. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here. Edinburgh family left heartbroken as mother and daughter die