Finally, SNP ditches scandal-hit MPs
FORMER Nationalist MP Michelle Thomson has hit out at the party after being ditched ahead of the General Election.
SNP chiefs yesterday ruled that scandal-hit Mrs Thomson and Natalie McGarry – who both quit the party whip amid separate police investigations – would not be eligible for selection as the party’s candidates.
Mrs Thomson, an independent since 2015, said she was ‘very disappointed’ and will stand down as the MP for Edinburgh West.
The SNP National Executive met in Glasgow yesterday. Afterwards, it was announced all 54 MPs would defend their seats. The party delayed announcing five candidates – to replace Mrs Thomson and Miss McGarry, and to contest seats held by other parties – until after consultation with local members.
Glasgow East MP Miss McGarry was reported to police by Women for Independence, which she co-founded, over £30,000 allegedly missing from the accounts. She did not respond to calls or emails but tweeted: ‘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.’
Mrs Thomson’s lawyer has been investigated over alleged mortgage fraud relating to her property dealings. At the time, Nicola Sturgeon said that if proven to be true, the allegations ‘represent behaviour I find completely unacceptable’.
Mrs Thomson said yesterday: ‘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 Police Scotland on a purely voluntary basis. Even in political parties the concept of natural justice must apply, as must the need for defined processes that are applied fairly, rigorously and transparently. I would advise the SNP to employ the services of an external body to help them develop a process.
‘I thank all those who have supported me, those who elected me, my family and my colleagues in Westminster who so vociferously and consistently spoke out on my behalf.’
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour announced yesterday that 150 potential candidates had put themselves forward. Leader Kezia Dugdale will head a selection panel, while MSP James Kelly leads the campaign. Mr Kelly said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon’s MPs have been a continuous source of embarrassment to the party and have utterly failed in their promise to stand up to the Tories. ‘Michelle Thomson and Natalie McGarry let down their constituents, and it is only Labour that can defeat SNP candidates and sitting SNP MPs in seats across Scotland.’ SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson said: ‘SNP MPs have been the hardest working group at Westminster and, with Labour in complete disarray, the only real opposition to the Tory government. Over the coming weeks we will work harder than ever to retain the trust of people in every community across Scotland.’