An SNP luxury camper van seized by police as part of an investigation into the Scottish National Party’s funding and finances was intended to be an election “battle bus”, according to reports.
Sources inside the party said the motorhome was bought during the pandemic to use during the 2021 Holyrood elections as a mobile campaign room.
But it was reportedly never used because Covid restrictions were lifted in April of that year.
Neighbours said it had never left the driveway before officers confiscated it.
A party source told the newspaper: “The camper van was about trying to have an ability to campaign while complying with the rules. It would have acted as a mobile campaign room.
“It would mean not having a need for hotels and minimise mixing.”
The source added: “It was not a great idea.”
The Niesmann+Bischoff motorhome, which was worth about £110,000 new, was taken from the driveway of a house in Fife around the same time as police searched the home of Nicola Sturgeon and husband Peter Murrell, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The vehicle was seized from outside the home of Mr Murrell's mother, Margaret Murrell.
Former party chief executive Mr Murrell was detained for more than 11 hours on Wednesday in connection with the police investigation into SNP funding before being released without charge pending further investigation.
The arrest has plunged the party, which is campaigning to break up the UK with an independent Scotland, into further turmoil after Mr Murrell’s wife, Nicola Sturgeon, stepped down as party leader and first minister in February.
Mr Murrell resigned as chief executive of the party weeks later following questions about the size of the SNP’s membership during the recent leadership election.
The police investigation into the party's finances, called Operation Branchform, was launched in May 2021 after officers received several formal complaints about how donations were used.
The party had pledged to ring-fence more than £660,000 ($818,790) raised for a second referendum on Scottish independence — but the money was allegedly spent instead, leaving only £97,000 in the bank in late 2019, with total assets of about £272,000.
The SNP has said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on any live police investigation.
“The SNP has been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.”
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
