Sturgeon: ‘Thomson affair was not easy’

● First Minister voices ‘regret’ but pushes back at ex-mp’s criticism

Nicola Sturgeon has responded to criticism from former MP Michelle Thomson over the handling of her suspension from the SNP, saying the affair was “not easy” for the party.

Speaking for the first time since it was announced Ms Thomson will not face charges over allegations of mortgage fraud, the First Minister said she had “some sympathy” but took issue with parts of the former MP’S complaint.

Msthomsonwithdrewfrom the SNP whip in 2015 when a police inquiry was launched into property dealings linked to her company.

In interviews at the weekend, the former Edinburgh West MP said she had been given no choice by her party, and asked for an apology from Ms Sturgeon over the SNP leadership’s handling of the matter.

Speakingtothebbc,mssturgeon 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, 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.

The First Minister said the SNP would “have a discussion directly with her” about Ms Thomson returning to a role in the party, but added: “With the greatest of respect we will have the discussion, if she wants to have it, with her and not through the medium of the BBC.” Ms Thomson, who has always denied any wrongdoing, said she had received “no

NICOLA STURGEON support” at what was a “frightening, disturbing and alarming” time and had been told by SNP business convener Derek Mackay she would need to resign the whip.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney told the BBC that Ms Thomson’s withdrawal from thepartywhip“wasmichelle’s decision… taken as a consequence of conversations with those responsible for conduct within the party”.

Mr Swinney added: “Obviously it’s for Michelle now to consider how she moves on with her life in light of what I acknowledge has been a very difficult set of circumstances.”

The former MP, elected in 2015, was one of five people named in a report sent to prosecutors last December. Last week the Crown Office said there would be no criminal proceedings due to “an absence of sufficient credible and reliable evidence”.

Ms Thomson was linked to deals involving Christopher Hales, a solicitor who was struck off for professional misconduct involving transactions in 2010 and 2011.

She said she was not aware Mr Hales had been struck off until it emerged in the press in 2015. Ms Thomson was not readmitted to the SNP before the general election in June, and stood down as an MP.

“We will have the discussion, if she wants to have it, with her and not through the medium of the BBC”