Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has warned it would be wrong for Michelle Thomson to return as an SNP MP.
She made the remarks in First Minister’s Questions yesterday, when Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she would welcome the publication of all Law Society documents relating to alleged irregularities with property deals carried out on the MP’s behalf.
The transactions led to a solicitor being struck off by the organisation, which referred the case to the Crown Office. A police investigation has since been launched.
Ms Thomson denies any wrongdoing, but has withdrawn from the SNP party whip and will not be attending the conference in Aberdeen next week.
It has emerged the society raised concerns about the case during meetings with prosecutors in December 2014 and April 2015, but did not formally submit evidence to the Crown until July of this year – after Ms Thomson’s election.
Ms Dugdale said the public would not accept any perception that the Scottish establishment is “closing ranks to protect one of its own”.
She was willing to take the SNP leader at her word that she knew nothing of the deals, she added.
But she insisted: “We still need an explanation from Nicola Sturgeon for why she personally appointed Michelle Thomson her business spokesperson.
“Given what we now know, it would be wrong for Michelle Thomson to return as an SNP MP.”
Ms Dugdale also urged Ms Sturgeon to back calls for an independent, external inquiry into why it took the society “so long” to pass on information to the Crown Office.
The Lord Advocate confirmed at Holyrood on Tuesday that the delay in pursuing the case against the lawyer was down to the body.
Ms Sturgeon suggested her opposite number put her questions to the society directly.
“I cannot answer on behalf of an independent organisation, but I would certainly welcome publication of any or all documents relating to this case,” the first minister said.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs she would allow the investigations to take place and act on their conclusions.