Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon's husband, was arrested as part of an SNP financial investigation. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA
The SNP treasurer, when the party bought the luxury van, didn't know about the purchase, it came out.
Sources close to Douglas Chapman, who was SNP treasurer for about six months, reported that he was kept in the dark about purchasing a motorhome that was confiscated by police.
Colin Beatty, MSP, who was treasurer before and after Mr. Chapman's brief tenure, also denied knowledge of the vehicle When it was purchased, he said he learned of its existence from the party's 2021 accounts.
SNP sources said the car was intended to be used as a «battle bus» in the 2021 Holyrood elections and was needed due to possible Covid restrictions.
However, it was never used for that purpose after restrictions were lifted Covid.
Niesmann + In January 2021, the Bischoff car was taken to Dunfermline, the home of the 92-year-old mother of then-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, neighbors said. «/>The Niesmann + Bischoff motorhome looks like a luxury camper bought by SNP. Photo: Jay Williams
Mr Chapman was elected treasurer at the end of 2020 and resigned the following May, complaining about the lack of transparency.
And Mr Murrell, husband of Ms Sturgeon , and Mr. Beatty were arrested as part of the investigation. to SNP finance, and both were released without charge pending further investigations.
«Douglas was unaware of [the motorhome] when he was treasurer,» a source close to Chapman told The Times. It is unclear when and how he learned about the purchase.
Douglas Chapman of Dunfermline and West Fife was SNP Treasurer for about six months. Credit: Ken Jack/Getty Images
The revelation means both Mr. Beatty and Mr. Chapman, who were in charge of reviewing the SNP's finances, claim they were unaware of the large purchase.
The car was valued at £110,000 and was recorded as an asset worth £80,632 in the party's accounts.
Elsewhere in the financial statements, it appeared to be listed as «office/computer equipment.»
It was seized by the police and confiscated at the same time they were conducting searches of Ms. Sturgeon's home and Mr. Murrell, as well as in the SNP. Headquartered in Edinburgh.
The police warrant for items related to their investigation is reported to be over 100 pages long.
Shortly after his arrest, Mr. Beatty denied any knowledge of the car, which First Minister Humza Yousaf confirmed was owned by the SNP, and stated that he had not signed it.
A few hours later, Beatty clarified, stating that he «did not know about the deal at the time of purchase» but «learned about the deal from the 2021 annual accounts.»
Colin Beatty, SNP Treasurer before and after Douglas Chapman took office, also denied knowing about the car at the time of purchase. Photo: UNPIXS
SNP declined to say exactly when it purchased the car and why it was necessary to buy it right away at a time when its finances were tight.
Mr Chapman stepped down as SNP treasurer in May 2021, saying that he «did not receive the support or financial information necessary to carry out the fiduciary duties of the national treasurer.»
He was elected by the members after promising to improve party transparency.
He will reportedly be fighting for a seat in Dunfermline and West Fife in the next general election, in what some saw as «retaliation» for his public resignation as Treasurer and support for Kate Forbes in the SNP leadership contest.
He is expected to try to fight with any attempt to overthrow him.
Regarding the van, an SNP spokesman said: «These issues are the subject of a live police investigation.»
The SNP has fully cooperated with this investigation and will continue to do so, however, it is inappropriate to publicly discuss these issues while the investigation is ongoing.”
Свежие комментарии