The Scottish Parliament spent more than £100,000 of taxpayers’ money in a legal fight to evict independence campaigners who set-up a camp on their grounds.
The campers were successfully evicted from the site earlier this month after losing an appeal against their removal.
Holyrood officials spent a total of £105,890 on the legal action, including more than £67,000 on the petition for the campers’ removal and more than £38,000 fighting their unsuccessful appeal.
The parliament is now seeking expenses.
A parliament spokesman said: “In recognition of the clear public interest in this matter, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) has taken the unusual step of publishing the costs associated with the court action.
“Given the SPCB’s duty to use public money prudently, it will also be applying to the Court of Session for an award of expenses.
“It will be for the court to decide whether to award costs and, if so, the level of costs awarded.”
If the application to the court is successful, the SPCB will consider whether to pursue cost recovery.
The IndyCamp group set up camp on parliament land in November last year and had vowed to stay until Scotland becomes independent.
After lengthy legal battles, they were evicted on November 4, when the camp was fenced off and tents and caravans were removed by officers of the court.
The campers have until November 25 to apply for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.