Former MP admits embezzling thousands from pro-indy group
Former MP Natalie McGarry has admitted to a £25,000 embezzlement.
Last updated 24th Apr 2019
A former politician has pleaded guilty to embezzling over £25,000 from two different campaigns for Scottish independence.
37-year old Natalie McGarry from Clarkston, admitted to taking money from Women for Independence and Glasgow Regional Association of the SNP between April 2013 and November 2015.
McGarry was an SNP MP for Glasgow East in 2015 in the midst of committing embezzlement.
McGarry represented herself as ties were cut with former lawyer Matthew Berlow.
She slumped her head on the dock as she admitted to committing the embezzlement.
McGarry was originally faced with one charge of under £33,000 but this was reduced to £21,000.
This was money intended by Women for Independence to go to a food bank in Perth and Kinross and Positive Prisons, Positive Futures.
Her second charge amounts to £4,661.02 and this wasn't altered.
McGarry disagreed with part of the written narrative and asked Sheriff Paul Crozier to allow her time to get legal advice.
Sheriff Crozier said: “You have been given this grace and it is in your best interest to contact your solicitor and to tell them to get in touch with the procurator fiscal.
“I will not hear the narrative or call for reports today and I will allow you one week to speak to a solicitor.”
The former politician kept looking for assurance from Mr Berlow who was still in the court throughout the hearing.
Sheriff Crozier adjourned the trial until next week.
Prosecutor Gerard Drugan has also asked for a hearing to confiscate money from McGarry.
This hearing will also take place next week.
McGarry tried to change her defence counsel last week but this was refused by Sheriff Crozier.
Her bail has been continued.
The trial was set to last six weeks.
Janice Green, who represented McGarry last week, claimed it would be impossible to represent someone with such short notice.
McGarry, a mother of one, had continued to state her innocence since she was charged.
The ex-politician also pleaded not guilty to another embezzlement charge of under £4,000 and refusing to hand over passcode to an iPhone which was accepted by the crown.