Natalie McGarry admits 'serious mistake' over comments about pro-UK campaigner
An MP has admitted she made a "serious mistake" when she falsely claimed a pro-UK campaigner was a "holocaust denier".
An MP has admitted she made a "serious mistake" when she falsely claimed a pro-UK campaigner was a "holocaust denier".
Natalie McGarry, the MP for Glasgow East, has now "apologised unreservedly" for the remarks as a legal action against her was settled out of court.
Alastair Cameron, the director of Scotland in Union, had launched defamation proceedings against her after she made comments about him on social media.
Mr Cameron also said three charities would benefit from a donation from the MP.
Ms McGarry said on Twitter: "On March 6 I tweeted that the Scotland in Union was headed by an 'internet troll' and a 'outed holocaust denier'.
"I made a serious mistake and accept there is no truth to those statements and apologise unreservedly to Mr Cameron for any distress caused."
Her solicitor Aamer Anwar said: "Natalie McGarry has issued an unequivocal apology for her comments and that is the end of the matter - there will be no further comment."
Mr Cameron said: "I am pleased to accept this apology from Ms McGarry and draw a line under this unfortunate incident. The payment Ms McGarry has agreed to make will go to three excellent charities which I have been involved with and I am delighted that some good will now come of this."
Veterans' mental health charity Combat Stress, the Aegis Trust, which works to prevent genocide and crimes against humanity, and children's charity Lumos will all receive a share of the funds Mr Cameron will receive from Ms McGarry after legal costs.
He added: "Politics in Scotland invokes passion and strong opinion on all sides, particularly on social media. I hope this serves as a reminder to us all that we need decency and respect in our debate, whether we agree with people or not.
"I look forward to continue making the positive case for Scotland in the UK."
Ms McGarry was elected as an SNP MP in 2015, but resigned from the party whip amid a dispute over funding of the pro-independence campaign group Women for Independence.