SNP blocks MPs McGarry and Thomson from standing at General Election
THE SNP has blocked two controversial sitting MPs from standing as candidates in the General Election as the party’s 54 other politicians at Westminster were reselected. Natalie McGarry and Michelle Thomson, who were elected as SNP MPs but now sit as independents, were refused permission to stand for the party by its ruling national executive.
Thomson withdrew from the SNP whip in autumn 2015 after she was reported to prosecutors following a police investigation into possible mortgage fraud. McGarry, who resigned the whip in winter 2015, is facing fraud charges after a pro-independence group reported a potential financial discrepancy in its accounts.
Thomson, the Edinburgh West MP, said she was “very disappointed with the decision” yesterday, but added that “after careful consideration” she decided not to put herself forward for election. “Since September 2015 there have been reports concerning a solicitor I used some seven years ago. I have always made it clear that I have done nothing wrong and it is a matter of public record that it was the solicitor who was under investigation and not myself, that no charges have ever been brought and that I assisted PS (Police Scotland) on a purely voluntary basis.”
McGarry refused to comment on whether she would stand as an independent in the Glasgow East seat she took with a majority of 10,387 over second-placed Labour in 2015
She said: “Today’s decision by the SNP NEC was of no surprise to me. I’ll be making no statement. My focus remains with my constituents and staff.”
Last night, an SNP spokesman confirmed neither of the two deselected MPs are currently members of the SNP.
The party’s decision means the SNP will face selection contests to replace McGarry and Thomson, who had a 3,210 majority over the LibDems in Edinburgh West seat.