Nicola Sturgeon faces calls to suspend Natalie McGarry after Women for Independence financial allegations

Nicola Sturgeon is facing calls to suspend SNP MP Natalie McGarry from the party after Police Scotland launched an investigation into alleged financial discrepancies involving donations to Women for Independence (WFI).

WFI was forced to contact Police Scotland after identifying a discrepancy between the income it received from donations and its expenditure. The alleged discrepancies occurred between 2014 and March 2015.

Reports in The Guardian suggested that McGarry was allegedly the only person with access to WFI’s PayPal account, which was used to collect the donations. The newspaper also reports that it is this account is where the alleged discrepancies have reportedly arisen.

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However, Holyrood understands that alleged discrepancies involving the Paypal account were not the only basis for WFI’s concerns, with a source close to WFI stating that the group’s wider financial records including emails and bank statements were assessed by two auditors and a lawyer before the case was referred to Police.

McGarry, who denies any wrongdoing, is not technically under investigation by Police Scotland as no crime has yet been identified. But solicitor Aamer Anwar, issued a statement on her behalf yesterday, saying: “Natalie McGarry MP is aware that suggestions of reported discrepancies in the accounts of ‘Women for Independence’ have been passed to Police Scotland. This morning I contacted Police Scotland at Natalie’s request to advise them that she is ready to meet with them should they wish to.

“Accordingly I have advised Natalie that it would be inappropriate to make any further comment until the conclusion of that inquiry, other than to state that she is certain that there has been no wrong doing on her part.”

Today Labour MSP Jackie Baillie has written to the First Minister, calling for McGarry to be suspended from the SNP, and asking when the party first became aware of the allegations.

Baillie’s letter says: “Given that it was right that Michelle Thomson's membership of the SNP was suspended during a police investigation, can you confirm that it is also right that the same standard will now apply to Natalie McGarry? People in Scotland would be surprised if no precautionary action is taken against Ms McGarry, given the serious nature of the allegations and the involvement of the police.

“As with the Michelle Thomson case, there are concerns about who in the SNP knew what and when about the allegations involving Natalie McGarry. Reports in today's media note that the allegations about missing campaign funds relate to the period between 2014 and March 2015. It would be a very grave matter indeed if any official, elected member or candidate in the SNP knew anything about these allegations before the General Election but failed to make them public.”

Seven WFI committee members are now SNP candidates, leading Scottish Labour to demand answers on whether they were aware of the alleged funding discrepancies.

Baillie adds: “Can you confirm when any of these people first became aware of the allegations? Can you confirm what discussions have taken place between SNP officials or senior elected members and these WFI national committee members about these allegations?”

An SNP spokesman told Politics Home: “We are aware of the reported discrepancy in Women for Independence's accounts. We are yet to see the details behind the claims.”

WFI released a statement saying: “Women for Independence has been and is supported by hundreds of women and men who have donated to our work. We know that those people will share our profound disappointment that this situation has arisen.

“The situation we have referred to the police for further inquiry is serious but we want to stress to our supporters that appropriate, robust and transparent controls are now in place to protect any monies donated to WFI now or in the future. We hope that our members and supporters are reassured that Women for Independence have acted promptly and taken the appropriate steps.”