Judge rules former Glasgow East SNP MP Natalie McGarry can appeal embezzlement conviction

An appeal judge has given former SNP MP Natalie McGarry permission to appeal her conviction for embezzlement.

The ex-politician was given a two year prison sentence in July 2022 after being found guilty of embezzling £19,974 while treasurer of the pro indie group Women For Independence.

McGarry, who served as MP for the Glasgow East constituency between 2015 and 2017, was also convicted of pocketing £4,661 when she was treasurer and convener of the SNP’s Glasgow Regional Association.

However, lawyers for McGarry believe she is the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Her legal representatives lodged papers requesting the Court of Criminal Appeal hear legal submissions about how her conviction should be quashed.

On Wednesday, it emerged that a judge has given permission for the court to hear arguments that McGarry should have her conviction quashed.

The Edinburgh-based court confirmed that the conviction appeal would also take place at the same time as an appeal against her prison sentence. The sentence appeal was due to be heard at the appeal court this week but it has been postponed so lawyers can make submissions on the same day that the conviction appeal calls.

Earlier this year, jurors returned majority guilty verdicts after a six-week trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The court heard that McGarry spent some of the money on expenses such as rent and shopping.

Her legal team admitted that her finances were “disorganised” and “chaotic”, but she denied the charges.

Sheriff Tom Hughes told the Aberdeen University graduate she had betrayed people who put their trust in her.

He said: “It’s quite clear that society has a right to expect the highest standards from those who seek and eventually achieve high public office.”

The appeal hearing is expected to take place early next year.