Ex-treasurer in laundering trial

A FORMER Tory party branch treasurer denies money laundering more than £200,000 through two local Conservative Party associations.

Malcolm Macaskill, 61, allegedly sent cash deposits said to be from criminal property to the Rutherglen and Cambuslang Conservative Association and The Glasgow Conservative Forum before sending out numerous cheques to a snack shop’s bank account.

Prosecutors claim the payments were made while he was treasurer and deputy chairman of the associations between September 2005 and December 2013.

Malcolm and co-accused Moya Macaskill, 60, face further allegations such as submitting various false VAT return forms which authorised repayments of £864,971.72 which they were not entitled through a company named Bigga Bites Ltd between December 2005 and March 2014.

A separate charge claims the cash was used in payment for business expenditure as well as transferring funds into personal bank accounts.

Another co-accused Louise Macaskill, 60, is also said to have “acquired cash from the alleged fraudulent scheme” between January 2005 and March 2014.

The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges at a hearing in Glasgow Sheriff Court last year and a hearing was set for yesterday. The accused, who did not appear at court, denied the charges.

A further hearing was set for April. Malcolm and Louise Macaskill, from Cambuslang, and Moya Macaskill, from Rutherglen, had their bail continued meantime.