Former Glasgow MP in court over alleged fraud

Former MP Natalie McGarry has appeared in court charged with embezzling more than £41,500.

The 36-year-old appeared under McGarry or Meikle, her married name, during the private appearance at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday (Wed).

Prosecutors claim that she embezzled money while she was Treasurer of Women for Independence, and the Treasurer, secretary and convenor of the Glasgow Regional Association of the Scottish National Party.

She faces three charges of embezzlement, two charges under the Scottish Independence Referendum Act and a charge contrary to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

McGarry, former Glasgow East MP made no plea when she appeared in court and was granted bail.

Papers from the court allege that between January 2012 and November 2015 McGarry, in the course of her role as Treasurer for Women for Independence embezzled £33,011.

It’s claimed she transferred funds raised through fundraising events into her personal account, failed to transfer charitable donations to the Perth and Kinross food bank and to Positive Prison Positive Futures.

And, that she allegedly used cheques, held in the name of Women for Independence to deposit money into her own account.

It is alleged that between January 2011 and May 2016, she embezzled £4,661.

She is accused of, in the course of her role as Treasurer, secretary and convenor of Glasgow Regional Association of the Scottish National Party, that she used cheques in their name and money donated through the website and intended for the use of that group, for her own use.

The third embezzlement charge totalling £3892, allegedly took place between November 2012 and June 2014.

McGarry allegedly transferred money into her own account that was raised through an online crowdfunding campaign which she set up, to raise money for online body “Yes Glasgow”.

She also faces a charge that in December 2014 she submitted a return “purporting to be the true expenditure incurred by Women for Independence”.

It’s claimed she falsely stated the total referendum campaign expenditure was £24,604, knowing that it was £10,346.

A second charge under the act alleges that in December 2014 she delivered a return for referendum expenses that did not conform to the requirements.

It is claimed she falsely stated that to the best of her knowledge and belief, it was complete and correct and the expenditure detailed had been paid by her or someone authorised by her.

McGarry faces a final charge of failing to provide a passcode for a mobile phone seized from her by police, in August 2016.

She is expected to return to court at a later date