Police submit report over alleged mortgage fraud linked to Edinburgh MP

Officers investigating a solicitor over property deals linked to Michelle Thomson MP hand a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

Published 14th Dec 2016

Police investigating a solicitor over property deals linked to Edinburgh West MP Michelle Thomson have submitted a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

Christopher Hales was struck off by the Scottish Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal (SSDT) in 2014 in connection with several transactions carried out by a property firm in which Ms Thomson was a partner in 2010-11.

Prosecutors last year instructed police to carry out an investigation into "alleged irregularities" relating to property deals in those years.

Ms Thomson, whose membership of the SNP was suspended when she withdrew herself from the party whip at Westminster after details of the investigation emerged, has denied any wrongdoing.

Police Scotland confirmed on Tuesday that a report has been submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service "in relation to an investigation into alleged mortgage fraud".

A Crown Office spokesman said: "The Procurator Fiscal has received a report concerning four men aged 48, 56, 59 and 59 and one woman aged 51 in relation to alleged incidents between 16/06/10 and 26/07/11.

"The report remains under the consideration of the Procurator Fiscal."

A spokeswoman for Ms Thomson said: "Michelle Thomson MP voluntarily attended an interview with Police Scotland on October 13 to assist in the ongoing investigation into solicitor Christopher Hales.

"No charges were brought and, as is standard under Scottish legal procedure, a report has now been submitted to the Crown Office.

"She looks forward to a conclusion on this matter at the earliest opportunity."