Nicola Sturgeon urged to act over SNP MPs

The inquiry puts pressure on the leader of the Scottish National Party after two other SNP MPs were suspended last year, following police investigations into mortgage fraud and missing donations.

The latest case involves MP Phil Boswell, who is alleged to have breached the rules on the registration of MPs’ financial interests. The parliamentary watchdog inquiry relates to whether Mr Boswell failed to fully disclose any directorships.

Last year it was revealed that the MP for Coatbridge, Bellshill & Chryston was the beneficiary of an interest-free loan worth £18,000.

Mr Boswell – who has campaigned against tax loopholes – received the loan while working for an energy firm prior to becoming an MP.

He told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: “I am aware of mechanisms within my previous employment contract which utilised the existing tax legislation. This payment agreement is common practice in my previous industry.

“After finding myself previously employed in such a contract, I decided to utilise my knowledge and experience in my new role as an MP to highlight Treasury management issues.”

Scottish Labour have called for Nicola Sturgeon to comment on the case, and what they describe as the “worst kind of hypocrisy”.

MSP James Kelly said: “We are seeing a number of SNP MPs who will say one thing for political purposes but do another in their private business dealings. This is important; politicians should practice what they preach.

“The First Minister today must break her silence on Mr Boswell and order an urgent investigation from her party.”

An SNP spokesperson said an inquiry does not imply guilt, and insisted that Mr Boswell had “sought advice from the Register of Interests”.

Police investigations

The probe comes off the back of two more serious accusations that involve the police.

Two of last May’s new intakes were automatically suspended from the party after they withdrew from the party whip, reducing the SNP’s numbers from 56 to 54.

Businesswoman Michelle Thomson MP was the first to quit in September. The member for Edinburgh West is linked to property deals that saw her former solicitor struck off by the Law Society of Scotland.

Police Scotland are investigating the property transactions that led to his dismissal. Ms Thomson (pictured right) and her business partner husband have denied any wrongdoing and say they will cooperate fully with the police investigation. Her lawyer Aamer Anwar says she “has always acted within the law”.

The second, Natalie McGarry, has offered to meet with police investigating how thousands of pounds of donations made to a pro-independence group went missing.

Board members for Women For Independence called in the authorities last November when an internal audit revealed significant sums of cash were unaccounted for. The Glasgow East MP was a founding member of the campaign group.

Ms McGarry maintains she has done nothing wrong, and will help police with their inquiries.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insists there are no issues with the party’s vetting process, after the party’s Westminster group expanded from 6 to 56 MPs in May’s election.