A former SNP MP who embezzled virtually £25,000 from two pro-independence teams has been jailed for 2 years
Natalie McGarry, 40, who represented Glasgow East between 2015 and 2017, was convicted of two prices of embezzlement – totalling £24,635 – in Could following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Courtroom.
A jury discovered her responsible by majority of a cost of embezzling £19,974 whereas she was treasurer of Girls for Independence (WFI) between April 26 2013 and November 30 2015.
She was additionally discovered responsible by majority of a second cost of taking £4,661 between April 9 2014 and August 10 2015 when she was treasurer, secretary and convener of the Glasgow Regional Affiliation of the SNP.
Sentencing McGarry, Sheriff Tom Hughes mentioned she had betrayed individuals who put their belief in her and {that a} custodial sentence was inevitable.
He informed her: “It’s fairly clear that society has a proper to anticipate the very best requirements from those that search and ultimately obtain excessive public workplace.”
He added: “Via your position in these offences, you haven’t solely betrayed the belief positioned in you by others, however your requirements have fallen nicely wanting these the general public ought to have a proper to anticipate from MPs.”
Over the course of the six-week trial, the court docket heard from dozens of witnesses, together with Scotland’s former well being secretary Jeane Freeman, who mentioned she reported McGarry after noticing a big shortfall in WFI accounts.
Ms Freeman mentioned she had no thought donations made to the group’s independence Crowdfunder have been going from the organisation’s PayPal account into McGarry’s private checking account.
She additionally voiced her frustrations at McGarry’s delay in handing over receipts and invoices which might present what the funds had been spent on.
The court docket additionally heard from witnesses that McGarry had private monetary difficulties and often obtained loans from household and buddies.
That included from Humza Yousaf, the present Scottish Well being Secretary, who gave McGarry £600 to stop her from being evicted from her home.
The court docket additionally noticed McGarry’s financial institution data, which confirmed Crowdfunder donations from WFI being transferred to her personal private account.
It included £10,472.52 on April 29 2014 and an extra £9,848.70 on November 12 2014 – which she used to pay for lease and purchasing.
McGarry had mentioned these have been “professional” bills which she had incurred and which she was reimbursing herself for.
McGarry was elected as an SNP member in 2015 however resigned the occasion whip after the emergence of fraud allegations – which she denied.
She continued in Parliament as an impartial MP representing Glasgow East however didn’t search re-election in 2017.
