Michelle Thomson Solicitor Probe "Could Be Widened"
A police investigation into a solicitor accused of mortgage fraud in property deals involving an SNP MP could be widened out to include anyone suspected of criminality during the transactions, Scotland's top prosecutor has confirmed.
Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland was called to Holyrood today to answer questions about allegations of mortgage fraud against Christopher Hales'', the lawyer who acted for property dealer Michelle Thomson before she was elected an SNP MP.
Ms Thomson has denied any wrongdoing and withdrawn herself from the party whip, a move which also means her membership of the SNP is suspended.
Mr Mulholland said police have a duty to investigate anyone suspected of criminality and will follow the evidence and where that takes them''.
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser asked: In what circumstances would the Crown Office ask Police Scotland to investigate any other person connected with the solicitor subject to the Law Society's judgement?''
Mr Mulholland said: I gave some consideration to that because I think it is a highly relevant question.
The referral to Police Scotland is in relation to the solicitor who is the subject of SSDT finding.
The police have been instructed to investigate the property transactions related to that finding resulting in the solicitor being struck off.
Police Scotland have a duty in any criminal investigation to follow the evidence and where that takes them.
So, if during a police investigation evidence arises that other persons have been involved in criminality and fraud, or whatever crime the police have uncovered evidence of, then Police Scotland, I have complete faith in them, they will act and do the right thing as will the Crown.''
Ms Thomson is linked to 13 transactions Hales conducted in 2010-11 where properties were bought cheaply from clients looking for a quick sale and sold at a huge mark-up the same day and where complicated ''cashback'' deals were used to artificially inflate property prices to secure bigger loans from lenders.
Hales was struck off by the Law Society following a tribunal which concluded that he must have been aware that there was a possibility that he was facilitating mortgage fraud''.