A Dundee MP cleared after a lengthy police probe says he felt the victim of a “malicious” smear attack that he fears was politically motivated.
The SNP’s Chris Law was under investigation for four months following embezzlement allegations about the running of his high-profile Spirit of Independence campaign for the 2014 referendum.
He was cleared of any wrongdoing when the Crown Office decided at the end of last month there was “insufficient evidence” to support any of the
allegations.
Speaking exclusively to The Courier, the Dundee West MP said he was stunned by the claims, which he was first made aware of when he answered his door in September to two police officers, while still dressed in his pyjamas.
He said: “It was a real shock at the beginning. I was frankly in disbelief. I have no idea where these allegations have come from.
“It felt quite malicious at the time because I thought there was no basis for this whatsoever.”
Rumours have been circulating over the source of the anonymous
accusations, with various unconfirmed reports suggesting they were from a political rival, either inside the SNP or one of its opponents.
Asked if he was targeted as part of a smear campaign, he said: “With politics there’s a lot of things that could be
politically motivated.
“I would like to think not. I certainly do not think it was anything internal and I have not had any indication of that.
“Has there been political motivation behind it? Perhaps. But I certainly don’t think it has come from my party.”
Mr Law said he felt he was “carrying about a pain” during the four-month wait for his name to be cleared, but said he was buoyed by the support he received from constituents, his team and the party.
“It was distressing, it was uncomfortable, it’s a situation I’ve never been in,” he added.
“I was concerned not just for myself, but everyone in the team and all those who had been a massive support behind the campaign.”
Mr Law said he was sure of his innocence from the outset.
There have been questions over the length of time the St Andrews graduate was left in limbo while detectives
conducted their investigation.
“Obviously I would’ve liked it to have been quicker than the four months,” he said.
“To me four months is a long time, it feels like an eternity.”
But he added he thinks police carried out their duties “properly and correctly”.
When The Courier asked Police Scotland to account for the length of time of the investigation and for details surrounding the source of the
allegations, a spokeswoman said it would be “inappropriate to comment”.
Spirit of Independence was founded by Mr Law in January 2014 and the
modified Green Goddess fire engine that he toured the country in became one of the most recognisable sights of the referendum campaign.
Mr Law is the third SNP MP who was part of the party’s sensational
performance in the 2015 general election to be investigated over their financial dealings.
Glasgow East MP Natalie McGarry, who resigned the party whip, was charged in September with fraud offences following an investigation that centred on her involvement with the Women for Independence campaign group.
Michelle Thomson, the now-independent Edinburgh West MP, was one of five people reported to the Crown Office in December after a police probe into alleged mortgage fraud.
Chris Law says he is ready to hit the road again for another referendum
campaign – as soon as Nicola Sturgeon gives the nod.
The former Himalayan motorbike tour operator is “absolutely” up for
running a similar independence drive to Spirit of Independence.
The MP, who has had careers in finance and as a chef, said his police probe ordeal has not put him off.
Asked if he would do it all again, he said: “If I thought another campaign like that was appropriate and based on the experience I had in 2014, yes I would absolutely.”
Mr Law toured the country in an adapted Green Goddess fire engine
during 2014 as part of his publicity drive to ensure people were fully informed of the case for independence.
He said he raised £30,000 through his website and other donations to keep the show on the road, and had ploughed in a “considerable” amount of his own cash.
On the prospect of a re-run of the 2014 vote – and its timing – he said the ball is in the Conservative Government’s court to compromise over the deal Scotland gets as part of a UK-wide Brexit.
He suggested support for
independence could grow depending on how Theresa May works with Scottish ministers in the lead up to the triggering of Article 50, which is expected just days after the SNP conference in late March.
“There will need to be a very clear position from the UK Government about what it is prepared to offer (Scotland) in terms of differentiation or a place that is not a Tory hard Brexit,” Mr Law said.
“I think at that point we will start to see – if it’s not around conference it will probably be very soon after – what people’s opinions are going to be (about independence).”
