SNP MP At Centre Of Missing Funds Inquiry

An SNP MP is at the centre of a police investigation into missing funds.

Natalie McGarry has denied any wrongdoing in connection to financial discrepancies in the accounts of 'Women for Independence' (WFI), a group set up prior to Scotland's 2014 referendum.

Ms McGarry was one of the organisation's founding members.

WFI has called in the police over discrepancies between donations received and money spent.

It's understood the missing cash amounts to tens of thousands of pounds.

In a statement, the WFI said: "Women for Independence have, for several weeks now, been examining the finances of the organisation after our senior support staff raised concerns in late summer.

"We have identified an apparent discrepancy between our income (via donations) and the expenditure which we currently have evidence of.

"Because of the potential seriousness of this issue, the national committee of WFI decided that the right thing to do was to pass this matter to the police."

Ms McGarry has made no comment publicly, but her solicitor issued a statement regarding her position.

Aamer Anwar said: "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."

Ms McGarry was elected as the MP for Glasgow East at the last election, one of 56 triumphant SNP MP's.

That number has already been reduced to 55 after Michelle Thomson MP was suspended from the party amidst police enquiries into alleged irregularities surrounding property deals.

Mrs Thomson denies any wrong doing.

Opponents of the SNP have called for the party to take similar action against Ms McGarry while police investigations continue.