Natalie McGarry MP claims no wrongdoing in Women for Independence probe
An SNP MP has stated there has been no wrongdoing on her part'' after the prominent pro-independence group that she co-founded called in police over missing donations worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Natalie McGarry's solicitor said the politician is ready to meet with police if required.
Women for Independence (WFI) reported discrepancies between donations made to the organisation and its expenditure after concerns were first raised during the summer.
The organisation was founded in 2012 by Ms McGarry and others, and continued campaigning after playing a leading role in last year's referendum on Scottish independence.
A statement said: Women for Independence have, for several weeks now, been examining the finances of the organisation after our senior support staff raised concerns in late summer.
We have identified an apparent discrepancy between our income (via donations) and the expenditure which we currently have evidence of.
Because of the potential seriousness of this issue, the national committee of WFI decided that the right thing to do was to pass this matter to the police.''
The group said the discrepancies occurred between 2014 and its formal constitution as an organisation in March 2015.
It added: The situation we have referred to the police for further inquiry is serious but we want to stress to our supporters that appropriate, robust and transparent controls are now in place to protect any monies donated to WFI now or in the future.''
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: We can confirm a report has been received and the matter is currently under investigation.''
A statement issued by solicitor Aamer Anwar on behalf of Ms McGarry said: Natalie McGarry MP is aware that suggestions of reported discrepancies in the accounts of Women for Independence have been passed to Police Scotland.
This morning I contacted Police Scotland at Natalie's request to advise them that she is ready to meet with them should they wish to.
Accordingly I have advised Natalie that it would be inappropriate to make any further comment until the conclusion of that inquiry, other than to state that she is certain that there has been no wrongdoing on her part.''