AN MP charged with alleged fraud offences has parted company with the high-profile lawyer who was initially advising her.

Natalie McGarry is no longer being represented by solicitor Aamer Anwar. She said: "After much consideration I took the decision last year to change representation. There will be absolutely no further comment from myself or my office."

McGarry was elected on an SNP ticket in Glasgow East as part of the Nationalist victory in Scotland at the 2015 general election.

However, within months, a complaint was lodged with police over claims of financial irregularities at the Women for Independence group, which McGarry campaigned for during the referendum. She withdrew from the SNP whip and was charged last year in connection with alleged fraud.

Anwar said at the time: "I can confirm that Natalie McGarry MP attended voluntarily with myself as her solicitor this morning at Govan Police Station.

"Following an interview, she was charged this afternoon with several alleged offences including embezzlement of funds, breach of trust and an offence under the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013.

"She was released and will now be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal. There will be no further comment.”

McGarry, who lives in Glasgow, was the SNP candidate in the Cowdenbeath by-election for Holyrood in January 2014.

She was a prominent pro-independence campaigner in the referendum before unseating Labour’s Margaret Curran at the general election.

It is understood the charges relate to WFI and to McGarry’s involvement with the SNP Glasgow Regional Association.

Anwar declined to comment.