Former MP McGarry could face jail after stealing almost £25k

SHAMED ex-SNP politician Natalie McGarry has been found guilty of pocketing more than £24,600 from two pro-Scottish independence groups, including Women for Independence (WFI).

McGarry now faces jail again after an earlier conviction for the crime was quashed by appeal judges in 2019.

The 41-year-old former MP for Glasgow East embezzled the cash despite receiving thousands in sums from family, friends and colleagues.

Jurors heard how McGarry needed a loan from Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to pay her rent in 2014.

McGarry’s bank account showed WFI money coming in and almost immediately going out – spent on rent, takeaways and grocery shopping as well as a holiday to Spain.

McGarry often complained about being “skint” despite her then £67,000-a-year Westminster salary in 2015.

She also received £1520,000 over three years from her dad as well as thousands from her aunt, former presiding officer Tricia Marwick.

McGarry was eventually caught in 2015 after a financial probe.

In summing up, her solicitor Allan MacLeod, said the finances were “disorganised” and “chaotic” and there was an “element of burying her head in that sand”.

She was convicted by a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court of two charges of embezzlement after three hours of deliberations.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Tom Hughes.

He said: “As a result of all the available information to them and your involvement in working with these organisations, you were successfully nominated for potential election on two separate occasions.

“You were a Member of Parliament and as all this was going on the jury established you were involved in embezzling funds from these organisations – this was a serious breach of trust.”

McGarry had her bail continued meantime.

Natalie McGarry pocketed more than £24,600.