Ex-SNP MP charged with embezzling £25,000 from indy groups

Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry has been charged with embezzling more than £25,000 from two Scottish independence organisations.

McGarry, who represented Glasgow East, allegedly took the cash between April 2013 and August 2015.

The 39-year-old, of Clarkston, appeared in the dock to deny the two charges at a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Prosecutors claim McGarry embezzled £21,000 during her role as Treasurer for Women for Independence between April 26 2013 and November 30 2015.

It is claimed she transferred cash made from fundraising events into her own personal accounts and failed to send the donations intended for Perth and Kinross food bank and the charity Positive Prisons Positive Futures.

She then allegedly used cheques – held in the name of Women for Independence – to deposit money into her accounts.

The second charge states McGarry embezzled £4661 between April 9, 2014, and August 10, 2015.

It is alleged that – while McGarry was Treasurer, secretary and convenor of Glasgow Regional Association of the SNP – she used cheques drawn from their bank account to pay expenses not incurred by the group.

Prosecutors claim McGarry retained reimbursements intended to settle expenses which she was not entitled to.

The charge goes on to say McGarry used cheques and money from donations to the organisation to deposit money to her own accounts.

Her lawyer Allan MacLeod and prosecutor Alistair Mitchell asked Sheriff Johanna Johnston QC to continue matters for more disclosure to become available.

Mr MacLeod said: “We might be in a position of strength and be a step further.”

A further hearing was set for November and a trial was provisionally put aside for May next year by Sheriff Johnston, who continued McGarry’s bail meantime.