Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry cannot withdraw guilty pleas

Ms McGarry sought to have her guilty pleas withdrawn

A sheriff has refused to allow former SNP MP Natalie McGarry to withdraw her guilty pleas to charges of embezzlement.

Ms McGarry, 37, last week pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £25,000 from pro-Independence organisations.

At that time she was representing herself.

Her new lawyer, Allan Macleod, asked for both pleas to be withdrawn, and for Sheriff Paul Crozier to remove himself from proceedings.

He said his client had felt she had no choice but to tender a plea, as the circumstances were prejudicial against her.

'Bent over backwards'

The former MP for Glasgow East had admitted taking £21,000 from the group Women for Independence while in her role as treasurer.

She also admitted embezzling a further £4,500 from the Glasgow regional association of the SNP.

Prosecutors had opposed the motion to withdraw the pleas.

In rejecting the motion, Sheriff Crozier said: "She had a number of opportunities to tender that plea even after her solicitor had gone. I couldn't have been fairer to her.

"The court has bent over backwards for Miss McGarry."

Sheriff Crozier responded to Mr Macleod's claims that "there have been critiques in the case of your lordship", by saying: "That happens all the time."

He added: "I have listened carefully to what has been said, the legal tests have not been met and the motion has been refused."

It was claimed the stress of the hearing last week had caused McGarry to have a panic attack in court.

The case has been adjourned until next week.