Former MP jailed after embezzling £25,000

NATALIE MCGARRY, a former Glasgow MP, has been jailed for two years after embezzling £24,600 from two Scottish independence groups to finance holidays, takeaways and groceries.

Mcgarry, who represented Glasgow East for the SNP between 2015 and 2017, often complained about being “skint” despite her £67,000 a year salary.

The 41-year-old mother of one received regular financial donations from friends, family and colleagues, including a £600 loan for rent from Humza Yousaff, the Scottish Health Secretary, in 2014.

She was caught after a financial investigation into her role as treasurer at the grassroots nationalist group Women for Independence (WFI). In May, she was convicted of embezzling £19,974 while treasurer between April 26 2013 and Nov 30 2015.

Mcgarry also took £4,661 between April 9 2014 and Aug 10 2015 when she was treasurer, secretary and convenor of the Glasgow Regional Association (GRA) of the SNP.

Jailing her at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Tom Hughes told her she “betrayed the trust placed in you by others” and her “standards have fallen well short of what the public have the right to expect from politicians and MPS.”

He added: “Because of the serious nature of the offences, a prison sentence is unfortunately necessary as no other sentence is appropriate.”

Mcgarry showed no emotion as she was led to the cells. She had “categorically” denied the two charges after previously appealing an earlier sentencing of 18 months for similar charges in 2019.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing to recoup the cash will take place in August.