A former Scottish National Party MP who misappropriated almost £ 25,000 from two pro-independence groups has been sentenced to two years in prison.
Natalie McGarry, who represented Glasgow East between 2015 and 2017, was convicted of two counts of embezzlement – totaling £ 24,635 – in May following a Glasgow sheriff’s trial.
A jury found her guilty by a majority on charges of embezzling £ 19,974 while she was the Women’s Independence Cashier (WFI) between 26 April 2013 and 30 November 2015.
She was also found guilty by a majority on a second charge of taking £ 4,661 between April 9, 2014 and August 10, 2015, when she was treasurer, secretary and organizer of the SNP Glasgow Regional Association.
Condemning McGarry, Sheriff Tom Hughes said she had betrayed people who trusted her and that a prison sentence was imminent.
He told her: “It is quite clear that society has the right to expect the highest standards from those who seek and ultimately achieve a high public office.
“Through your role in these crimes, you have not only betrayed the trust that others give you, but your standards are much lower than those that society should have the right to expect from MPs.
During the six-week trial, the court heard dozens of witnesses, including former Scottish health secretary Gene Freeman, who said she reported on McGarry after noticing a significant shortfall in WFI accounts.
Freeman said he had no idea that the donations made to Crowdfunder for the group’s independence went from the organization’s PayPal account to McGarry’s personal bank account.
She also expressed disappointment with McGary’s delay in delivering receipts and invoices that would show what the money was spent on.
The court also heard from witnesses that McGarry had financial difficulties and regularly received loans from family and friends.
This included Humza Youssef, the Scottish Secretary of Health, who gave McGarry £ 600 to prevent her eviction.
The court also saw McGarry’s bank records, which show that Crowdfunder’s donations from WFI were transferred to her personal account.
It includes £ 10,472.52 on 29 April 2014 and another £ 9,848.70 on 12 November 2014, which it uses for rent and shopping.
Sign up for First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am
McGary had said that these were legal expenses she had incurred and reimbursed.
McGarry was elected a member of the SNP in 2015, but resigned from the party whip following allegations of fraud, which she denied.
She continued in parliament as an independent MP representing Glasgow East, but did not request re-election in 2017.
Add Comment