THE SNP’s former treasurer Colin Beattie has stated that he only became aware of the party’s purchase of a £110,000 campervan when going through the annual accounts in 2021.

Beattie, who was arrested and released without charge earlier this month as part of Police Scotland’s investigation into the SNP’s finances, told reporters in the Scottish Parliament earlier on Tuesday that he “didn’t know” about the purchase of the vehicle, which has since been seized by police.

However, he has now released a statement clarifying his knowledge of the campervan.

It 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.”

The campervan was taken from the home of Peter Murrell's mother a few weeks ago as part of the police investigation. 

It comes after Nicola Sturgeon appeared in Holyrood for the first time since her husband's arrest and release without charge. 

Speaking to journalists inside parliament she described the past few weeks as “traumatic”.