Thomson situation ‘not easy’ for SNP

NICOLA STURGEON has described the situation involving former SNP MP Michelle Thomson as “not easy” for the party.

Ms Thomson withdrew from the SNP whip in 2015 when a police inquiry into allegations of mortgage fraud was launched.

The former Edinburgh West MP, who learned last week that she will not face court proceedings, said she had been given no choice, and asked for an apology from Ms Sturgeon over the party leadership’s handling of the matter.

The First Minister and SNP leader admitted the situation had not been easy for Ms Thomson, but added that it had not been easy for the party either.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I regret very much that we were confronted with a situation where one of our newly-elected MPs was facing serious allegations – of course I regret that. It wasn’t a situation of my making, it wasn’t a situation, clearly, I would have chosen to be in. And I appreciate that what followed on that, the investigation that took place, was not easy for Michelle Thomson and it wouldn’t have been easy for anyone in that situation.

“But I think people would also appreciate that it wasn’t a particularly easy situation for the party to be in either.

“Michelle is now, happily, in the position where she can put this behind her. She has been cleared of any wrongdoing and I am sure she is very relieved about that so we can now look forward and have a discussion directly with her.”

Ms Thomson, who has always denied any wrongdoing, said she had received “no support’’ at what was a ‘’frightening, disturbing and alarming’’ time.