THE confiscation hearing of former SNP MP Natalie McGarry, who was convicted of embezzling almost £25,000 from pro-independence groups, has been postponed to allow for an appeal process to continue.
The former Glasgow East MP was sentenced to two years in prison after a majority of jurors found her guilty of embezzling £19,974 while treasurer of Women for Independence (WFI) and £4661 while treasurer and convener of the Glasgow Regional Association of the SNP.
During the trial, the court saw McGarry's bank records, which showed crowdfunder donations from WFI being transferred into her own personal bank account.
The Appeal Court in Edinburgh has confirmed the 40-year-old, who served as an MP from 2015 to 2017, has lodged papers against both her conviction and jail term.
READ MORE: Former MP Natalie McGarry jailed for two years for embezzlement
A confiscation hearing is held to determine whether savings or valuables to the equivalent of the embezzled cash can be handed over.
In a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday, defence agent Pat Campbell told Sheriff Barry Divers: “You will be aware of the intention of an appeal lodged against sentence and conviction.”
Sheriff Divers continued the matter until October 4.
The details of McGarry’s grounds for appeal are unknown.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here