SNP MP who ‘preyed on vulnerable’ is cleared to stand again
A FORMER Nationalist MP who was forced to quit the party while police probed her property deals has been cleared by the SNP for a political comeback.
Michelle Thomson was at the centre of allegations that, in the wake of the financial crash a decade ago, she was involved in profiteering by buying houses from struggling homeowners at below market value.
After a police investigation, prosecutors ruled there was no evidence of wrong-doing. Now she plans to stand for Falkirk East at next year’s Holyrood elections and has passed vetting by the party.
However, one SNP voter, who sold his house to Ms Thomson, said she ‘preys on the vulnerable’ and should not be brought back.
Ms Thomson was elected as MP for
Edinburgh West in May 2015, but resigned the SNP whip and stood down as business spokeswoman at Westminster just months later.
She remained an MP until the 2017 General Election.
Solicitor Christopher Hales, who acted for her in property deals, was struck off by the Law Society of Scotland, and police were called in to investigate alleged mortgage fraud.
The Crown Office did not bring a prosecution. However, several people complained Ms Thomson had bought their homes at below market valuation. One pensioner said: ‘I still regret it. I thought the deal was better than it was.
‘She preys on the vulnerable, that’s my experience. It’s disappointing to hear she might be coming back. I feel she should not be in the party.’
Labour MP Neil Findlay said: ‘It’s bizarre the SNP have deemed her a suitable candidate.’
Ms Thomson last night denied reports made at the time that she had ever actually met the people selling their homes. She said: ‘I did not and I made that clear in 2017, by which point it was evident that many people and agencies had behaved very badly in their treatment of me.
‘I worked extremely hard as an MP despite the hardest of circumstances. I took Sir Philip Green to task over his treatment of BHS staff, I took Mike Ashley to task over his treatment of agency workers and I spoke about being raped at the age of 14.
‘I then went through a process with Police Scotland – and to whom I am greatly in debt – where the case was thoroughly investigated and the man subsequently charged.
‘All of this was on my own and with little support. I feel I have much to give in politics.’
An SNP spokeswoman said: ‘Michelle Thomson passed vetting and it is now for local members to decide who they want as their SNP candidate.’
‘I worked hard as an MP despite circumstances’