Ex-SNP MP cleared over fraud allegations demands apology from Nicola Sturgeon
2 min read
A former SNP MP who was forced to resign the whip amid allegations of fraud has demanded an apology from Nicola Sturgeon after being cleared.
Michelle Thomson said it would be “befitting” if the First Minister or “somebody very senior” would approach her and say sorry.
The former Edinburgh West MP was told to resign the whip in 2015 after police launched an investigation into “alleged irregularities relating to property deals”.
She was subsequently deselected by the SNP ahead of the general election in June this year and decided not to stand as an independent.
But the Crown Office has decided not to pursue criminal proceedings due to an absence of “sufficient credible and reliable evidence”.
Asked by BBC Radio Scotland today if she would like an apology for her treatment by the party, she said: “I think that would be befitting.”
And asked who she would want an apology from, she added: “I would say the leader of the party. Certainly somebody very senior.”
Ms Thomson also claimed to have been treated more harshly than other SNP politicians who had kept the whip despite being more deeply embroiled in the justice system.
'DARK DAYS'
It comes as she lifted the lid on her ordeal and explained how she coped during the two years of intense scrutiny.
In a frank interview with the Sunday Herald she said: "There were a lot of dark days as you can imagine...
"I did have a big cry one day and it was in May 2016. I could feel myself welling up and I was actually in the Chamber.
“I thought 'oh no, I can't do that in front of people' because obviously everything's televised.
“So I had to go up to the roof of Westminster and actually sent an email to one of my staff to say just let the team go on [with work] because I couldn't stop crying for a couple of hours."
Ms Thomson said she would like to be re-admitted to the SNP and refused to rule out standing again for a Westminster seat.
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