I want an apology from Sturgeon, says former MP cleared in police mortgage probe
‘Completely exonerated’ ‘Chaos within the SNP’
A FORMER Nationalist MP has urged Nicola Sturgeon to apologise over the way she was treated by her own party during a police investigation into alleged mortgage fraud.
Michelle Thomson was forced to resign the SNP whip in 2015 only five months after being elected to Westminster after it emerged a number of her property deals were being probed by the authorities.
But last week it emerged that the 52year-old will not be prosecuted – and she has now opened up about her twoyear struggle, which saw her forced out of SNP with ‘no support’ during a ‘frightening, disturbing and alarming’ time.
The former Edinburgh West MP yesterday criticised the First Minister for her handling of her case – and raised concerns about the party’s leadership.
Mrs Thomson, who is keen to re-enter politics, also denied that her property business targeted the vulnerable by buying their homes at below market value before selling them on for profit, insisting householders were aware of the deal.
However, she apologised to those who felt ‘aggrieved’.
The SNP was plunged into chaos in September 2015 after it emerged there was a police inquiry focusing on solicitor Christopher Hales, who was struck off after he acted for Mrs Thomson’s property firm in deals which raised questions about possible mortgage fraud.
Mrs Thomson was one of five people reported to prosecutors last December following the investigation, but last week the Crown Office said there would be no prosecution due to an absence of ‘credible and reliable evidence’.
The mother of two claimed she had been ‘completely exonerated’, but said she had yet to hear from the party that forced her out.
Following the initial revelations regarding her property dealings, Mrs Thomson said she did not hear from the SNP and was left to her ‘own devices’, adding: ‘Unfortunately for me, having no experience, I didn’t do anything. I failed to take the chance to rebut the thing at the time because I had no support and I had no experience.’
She said it was the following week before she met Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, who told her she must resign the party whip.
Mrs Thomson said: ‘I did protest but I was kind of led to believe that if I didn’t do that gracefully things would be even worse and, to be honest, they were in a pretty bad state at that point. It was not my choice and not my decision.’
Mrs Thomson said Westminster colleagues were ‘so supportive’, so it was ‘difficult to understand’ why the SNP’s national executive committee rejected calls for her to be readmitted.
She also said it was ‘disturbing’ that she was never given the chance to speak directly to Miss Sturgeon to argue her case.
By yesterday morning Mrs Thomson had still not heard from the SNP leader.
Last night, a spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: ‘This unedifying row is further example of the chaos within the SNP.
‘Nicola Sturgeon can’t be silent on this – she needs to show leadership and set out exactly what she intends to do about this.’
Mrs Thomson also raised questions about the leadership of the party amid fears power is too concentrated at the top – Miss Sturgeon is married to Nationalist chief executive Peter Murrell.
Former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has previously called for Mr Murrell to step down, amid concerns the marriage means he cannot objectively advise his wife.
Mrs Thomson said: ‘I agree with the view of Kenny MacAskill – I concur with the concern that there is no other organisation where you have a leader married to a chief executive. In what you call corporate governance that is generally frowned upon, and for good reason.
‘It potentially brings problems where you have a married couple at the heart of an organisation. I would describe it as having risks.’
Mrs Thomson also apologised to anyone who feels ‘aggrieved’ by her property deals and insisted all transactions were legal and fair. The police probe looked at ‘backto-back’ deals carried out by her firm, M&F Property Solutions, which she ran with business partner Frank Gilbride.
Customers sold the company their homes for below the market value price and these were sold on – with Mrs Thomson admitting she did make money from this.
Some sellers claimed they were taken advantage of, but Mrs Thomson said: ‘If there’s anyone who does feel aggrieved then I can only apologise.
‘I never ever want to, in any of my business dealings, want to diddle someone. It’s just not appropriate and it wouldn’t be fair.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘Michelle Thomson took a dignified approach while the investigation was under way and will be relieved to put this affair behind her. We wish her well for the future and will be happy to engage with her about her membership.’