FORMER SNP MP Michelle Thomson has no case to answer over allegations of mortgage fraud against her.
Thomson and four men believed to include her former business partners will not be prosecuted over the allegations about mortgage fraud due to “an absence of sufficient credible and reliable evidence”.
The MP for Edinburgh West from 2015 until the most recent General Election has always denied any wrongdoing and said she had been “completely exonerated”.
One SNP source said: “She won’t be holding her breath for an apology from the likes of Ruth Davidson, Kezia Dugdale and Jackie Baillie who all made hay with the matter that has now been shown to have no substance.”
Thomson was reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) last December following a 15-month police investigation into alleged mortgage fraud that followed solicitor Christopher Hales being struck off by the Law Society of Scotland for professional misconduct in 13 property deals in 2010 and 2011.
All the transactions were reported to have involved Thomson or M&F Property Solutions, a firm in which she was said to be a partner.
Thomson resigned the party whip in 2015 when police launched their investigation into the allegations. She was never arrested or charged and had just one interview by Police Scotland which she attended voluntarily.
Thomson sat as an independent MP from then until June’s General Election but announced she was standing down after the SNP’s national executive in April declared that she would not be selected as a candidate in the election.
Toni Giugliano was selected as the SNP candidate but lost the seat to Christine Jardine of the Scottish LibDems.
A COPFS spokesman said yesterday: “The procurator fiscal received a report concerning four men aged 48, 56, 59 and 59, and one woman aged 51, in relation to alleged incidents between June 16, 2010, and July 26, 2011.
“After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, Crown counsel concluded there was an absence of sufficient credible and reliable evidence and there should be no criminal proceedings at this time.”
In a statement, Thomson said: “Yesterday I received news from the Crown Office that confirmed I have been completely exonerated by the police investigation into a solicitor I used in 2010.
“I am eternally grateful to my SNP colleagues in Westminster who supported me so strongly throughout this time.
“I also thank Police Scotland and the Crown Office for their courtesy and professionalism.
“I thank my friends and supporters who gave me constant encouragement throughout and, above all, I am indebted to my family and acknowledge that the past two years have been very difficult for them too. I made clear before I entered politics that I wished to use my skills, drive and experience to help shape a better Scotland and that desire remains as strong as it was when I became very involved in the 2014 independence referendum.
“However, for the time being this will need to take a different form.
“I now intend to take a few days of reflection to consider my next steps.’’ An SNP spokesman said: “Ms Thomson took a dignified approach during the investigation into her financial conduct.
“She’ll be relieved to put this affair behind her and we wish her well for the future.”
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