MP Natalie McGarry has withdrawn from the SNP whip amid a police investigation into missing donations from the prominent pro-independence group she helped set up.
The Glasgow East MP – a co-founder of Women For Independence – insisted she had “done nothing wrong” after police were called in about unaccounted for donations worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Last night, opposition parties said the resignation left the SNP “all over the place”.
In a statement issued by her solicitor, Ms McGarry announced she had taken the decision “in the best interests of the party and the constituents of the east end who voted for her”.
“She maintains she has done nothing wrong but is conscious that the events of the last 48 hours are distracting from the job she was elected to do on behalf of the SNP,” the statement said.
Her decision to resign means the SNP has been reduced to 54 MPs in the House of Commons, following the earlier resignation of the whip by Michelle Thomson over her involvement in property deals which are also under police investigation.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had said before Ms McGarry announced her resignation that she needed more detail on the “very serious allegations” before taking action.
Scottish Labour’s public services spokeswoman said Jackie Baillie said: “Natalie McGarry is right to resign the SNP whip. It is disappointing that as the leader of the SNP Nicola Sturgeon didn’t act earlier.”
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: “The SNP is all over the place with this.
“First of all Nicola Sturgeon dithers and takes no action, then hours later Natalie McGarry takes it upon herself to resign the whip.”
A spokesman for the SNP said: “Natalie McGarry MP has indicated that she will temporarily be removing herself from the SNP whip at Westminster, which as a result will see her membership of the Scottish National Party suspended while the matter is investigated.”
Ms McGarry won her seat at May’s general election.