Natalie McGarry admits 'serious mistake' over 'holocaust denier' tweet

Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry has been forced to apologise and admit she made a "serious mistake" in labelling a pro-union campaigner a holocaust denier.

Natalie McGarry was threatened with legal action by Scotland in Union director Alastair Cameron after she tweeted that he was an “outed holocaust denier” and “internet troll”.

The Glasgow East MP, who was suspended by the SNP over an expenses scandal, has been forced to pin the apology to the top of her twitter feed for two weeks.

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“I made a serious mistake and accept there is no truth to those statements and apologise unreservedly to Mr Cameron for any distress caused," the apology reads.

McGarry has also made a charitable donation alongside the apology to stave off further legal action, in addition to paying Mr Cameron’s legal costs.

In a statement Mr Cameron said he was “pleased” to accept the apology and “draw a line under this unfortunate incident”.

“Politics in Scotland invokes passion and strong opinion on all sides, particularly on social media," he added.

“I hope this serves as a reminder to us all that we need decency and respect in our debate, whether we agree with people or not.”

Mr Cameron said the donation would go to charities Combat Stress, Aegis Trust and Lumos.

After posting the tweet in March, Ms McGarry apologised and removed the offending comment, amid claims it was a case of mistaken identity.

But Mr Cameron instructed his lawyers to serve a writ against the MP, arguing the apology was not “appropriate”.

He said in late March: “It is not acceptable for a Member of Parliament, in a public position of power and responsibility, to make such an awful accusation against someone and then simply brush it off."

McGarry was forced to apologise after accusing Harry Potter author JK Rowling defended “abusive misogynist trolls” on the twitter in January.

The MP is currently being investigated by police over the expenses of a campaign groups she set up during the Scottish referendum campaign.

Women For Independence uncovered a discrepancy between the donations it received and its expenditure between 2014 and March 2015.

She denies any wrongdoing.