Suspended SNP MP reveals lack of police contact amid property firm investigation
MP Michelle Thomson has said she has had no contact with police, eight months after she was suspended by the SNP amid an investigation into transactions involving her property firm.
MP Michelle Thomson has said she has had no contact with police, eight months after she was suspended by the SNP amid an investigation into transactions involving her property firm.
Solicitor Christopher Hales acted in 13 property transactions involving Ms Thomson's firm, M&F Property, that saw him being reported to the Serious and Organised Crime Agency by the Law Society in 2011.
The Edinburgh West MP has denied any wrongdoing in the transactions which led to Mr Hales being struck off following a Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal judgment that concluded he ''must have been aware that there was a possibility that he was facilitating mortgage fraud''.
Ms Thomson was the SNP's business spokeswoman at Westminster and has expressed her desire to have her party membership reinstated once the investigation has concluded.
She said: "In light of the amount of uninformed speculation about me during, and since, the Scottish parliamentary election campaign, I feel it necessary to give a public update on my position.
"I resigned the SNP whip in September 2015 in order that Police Scotland could conduct their inquiries into the solicitor Mr Christopher Hales. I understand that he had many clients, and, as a result, appreciate that this is a complicated investigation which will take time.
"I made clear then, eight months ago, in a statement, that I was available to talk with Police Scotland should they wish.
"To date no approach has been made and I re-iterate my willingness to support them in their inquiries at any time.
"As an elected MP I continue to carry out my duties on behalf of Edinburgh West constituents.
"Due to the nature of this investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further on the solicitor or this matter beyond confirming the above statement."
Ms Thomson was part of the pro-independence Business for Scotland group in the 2014 independence referendum campaign and was elected as an MP last year.