A FORMER MP from East Renfrewshire is due to stand trial later this year for allegedly embezzling more than £40,000.

It is claimed Natalie McGarry embezzled money while she was treasurer of Women for Independence and treasurer, secretary and convener of the Glasgow Regional Association of the Scottish National Party.

The 37-year-old, of Clarkston, appeared under McGarry or Meikle, her married name, during her first public appearance at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.

She faces three charges of embezzlement and a charge contrary to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, for allegedly not providing a passcode for a mobile phone.

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Counsel John McElroy represented former Glasgow East MP McGarry and submitted pleas of not guilty on her behalf.

The first charge alleges that, between April 26, 2013, and November 30, 2015, McGarry, in the course of her role as treasurer for Women for Independence, embezzled £32,991.

It is claimed she transferred cash raised through fundraising events into her personal account, failed to transfer charitable donations to the Perth and Kinross Foodbank and Positive Prison Positive Futures and used cheques, held in the name of Women for Independence, to deposit money into her own account.

The second charge claims that, between April 9, 2014, and August 10, 2015, she embezzled £4,661 in the course of her role as treasurer, secretary and convener of the Glasgow Regional Association of the SNP.

A third embezzlement charge totalling £3,891 allegedly took place between February 1, 2014, and June 17, 2014.

McGarry allegedly transferred money into her own account that was raised through an online crowdfunding campaign she set up to raise cash for 'Yes Glasgow' – an organisation set up to campaign for an independent Scotland.

She also faces a final charge of failing to provide a passcode for a mobile phone seized from her by police in August 2016.

Sheriff Paul Crozier set a trial date for April this year.

The trial is expected to last between four to six weeks.

Her bail was continued by Sheriff Crozier.