Campervan seized at home of Nicola Sturgeon's mother-in-law was 'purchased as an SNP battle bus'

Police raided the home of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell last week. Photo: Jane Barlow/Pennsylvania. It was reported that Nicola Sturgeon's mother-in-law's house was purchased for use as an election SNP battle bus. 110,000 pieces were purchased during the pandemic for use in the Holyrood election campaign in the spring of 2021.

But, as you know, Niesmann + The Bischoff RV was never used for this purpose after Ms Sturgeon lifted Covid restrictions.

Officers confiscated the vehicle from the home of Margaret Murrell, Peter Murrell's 92-year-old mother. He is a former Executive Director of SNP and the husband of Ms. Sturgeon.

Neighbors said the luxury motorhome was originally driven to an address in Dunfermline, Fife, by two men in January 2021 and has not been moved since.

Police confiscated the vehicle at 9am on Wednesday at last week, shortly thereafter. Police have launched a search of Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell's home in Glasgow, 50 miles away.

Mr Murrell was arrested on 6 April by police investigating expenditures of around £600,000 that had been earmarked for the campaign for Scottish independence.

Later that day, he was released pending further investigation. The Scottish police ransacked the couple's home for two days and also ransacked the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.

Since July 2021, the police have been investigating the SNP's handling of donations collected in 2017 for the second independence referendum. The second referendum never took place, and some donors asked for their money back, saying they were told the money would go to the referendum campaign.

Police at Nicola Sturgeon's home, April 6, 2023 Photo: Russell Cheyne/Reuters

The camper is an iSmove model, the latest version of which includes felt walls «for delightfully soothing acoustics», an expandable kitchen, power shelves , decorative lighting. and a «disappearing» shower.

SNP sources said it was bought out of uncertainty about what Covid restrictions would be in place during the campaign. the source said. “It acted like a mobile campaign room. That would mean no need for hotels and minimizing mixing.»

However, one party member admitted, «It wasn't a good idea.»

Asked about the van at an event on Tuesday, new First Minister Humza Yousaf said: «I will not comment on a direct police investigation.»

But Jackie Bailey, deputy Scottish Labor leader, said: extremes test the credulity of the inhabitants of Scotland. money — with a motorhome left dormant in the driveway for years during the 2021 Holyrood election and the 2022 council election.» “sanctioned this frightening waste of money.”

It emerged this week that NEC was not informed of the resignation last September of the company that audits SNP accounts, despite the fact that the party was unable to find a replacement .

Mr. Yousaf also said that he was only told that accountant Johnston Carmichael quit after he won a leadership election on March 27 to succeed Ms. Sturgeon.

An SNP spokesman said, “It would be inappropriate to comment on any live police investigations. The SNP is fully cooperating with this investigation and will continue to do so.”