Trial of ex-SNP MP Natalie McGarry delayed until April 2022

Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry has had her embezzlement trial put back until next year. 

The delay to the court case, which was due to start next month, was requested by the ex-politician’s lawyer. 

The defence team is still waiting for the report from a commissioner reviewing evidence.

McGarry has been accused of embezzling more than £25,000 from two pro-independence organisations. She denies both charges. 

Allan Macleod, representing McGarry, told the court the defence is waiting for more information from a commissioner reviewing evidence.

The Crown described the delay as “hugely frustrating”.

Her trial has now been postponed until April 2022 to allow more time for preparations. The case will call again as a pre-trial hearing in February in which McGarry’s attendance has been excused.

Prosecutors say the former MP for Glasgow East appropriated £21,000 for her own use in her role as treasurer of the Women for Independence group between April 26 2013 and November 30 2015.

She is accused of failing to transfer charitable donations raised by the group to Perth and Kinross Foodbank and to Positive Prisons, Positive Futures.

It is alleged she transferred funds raised through events on behalf of Women for Independence into her own personal bank account and used cheques drawn on the organisation’s bank account to deposit money in her own accounts.

McGarry is also accused of embezzling £4,661.02 for her own use from the Glasgow Regional Association of the SNP between April 9 2014 and August 10 2015.

She was elected to the Commons as an SNP member in 2015 but resigned the party whip six months later after the emergence of fraud allegations. She did not stand for re-election in 2017.