Natalie McGarry, the former SNP MP, has sacked her defence counsel just days before she is due to go on trial accused of embezzling money from pro-independence groups.

She is due to face a six-week trial starting next week but decided to dismiss John McElroy, her advocate, and yesterday sought a four-week adjournment in the case. Ms McGarry, 37, is accused of embezzling more than £40,000, most of it from the Women for Independence group that she helped to set up before the 2014 referendum.

At Glasgow sheriff court Ms McGarry argued that the extra time was needed to allow her new lawyers time to prepare for the case but the motion, which was opposed by prosecutors, was refused by Sheriff Paul Crozier, The Herald