SNP councillor suspended by party over handling of complaints against convicted sex offender Jordan Linden

Tracy Carragher, leader of the SNP group at North Lanarkshire, was called as a defence witness in the trial of former council leader Jordan Linden.

Last week, Linden was convicted of 10 offences against young men and boys, including five sexual assaults.

A recording of a group meeting made after allegations against Linden were made public, where she appeared to support him, added further pressure to Ms Carragher’s position.

READ MORE:Female SNP MSP’s office ‘bugged’ by male staffer still involved in the party

Ms Carragher was suspended on Wednesday as leader of the SNP group on the council and will no longer stand as a candidate on the SNP regional list for Central Scotland and Lothians West on May 7.

John Swinney had refused to comment about the future of embattled Ms Carragher after ‘new material’ emerged.

At an event in North Lanarkshire, the First Minister was asked by The Scotsman if the councillor should bow to increasing pressure on her to resign her position and stand down as a Holyrood candidate.

In response, he said “material” had been put to him by Sky News, which he “needed to go and have a look at”.

Later on Wednesday, a statement from an SNP spokeswoman said: “In light of ongoing allegations regarding the handling of matters within the North Lanarkshire Council SNP group in relation to Jordan Linden, the national secretary has suspended councillor Carragher pending an investigation.

“This means she will no longer be an SNP candidate in the forthcoming elections or leader of the SNP group on the council. We take this issue seriously and the voices of complainants must always be heard.”

Ms Carragher is accused in a council motion of having ignored or downplayed complaints about Linden.

Last week, in a statement, Ms Carragher said she had had no concerns about Linden’s conduct raised with her and, had she been alerted, she would have acted.

New information which has emerged is believed to contradict her version of events.

Mr Swinney yesterday morning appeared to suggest that Ms Carragher would still stand in the election.

When asked if he had confidence in Ms Carragher, Mr Swinney responded: “The party selected its candidates and its candidates will go forward for election.”

Confirmation of her suspension came just hours later.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said Mr Swinney had been “dragged kicking and screaming” into suspending Ms Carragher.

“John Swinney cannot hide from the long list of unanswered questions that still remain for him and his party,” she said.

“The SNP’s handling of this scandal has been shameful from start to finish – from dismissing victims to lying to journalists to defending Tracy Carragher for days.

“It is always party before country with John Swinney and the SNP and Scotland deserves better.

Scottish Tory candidate for Uddingston and Bellshill, Meghan Gallacher, said the decision should “never have taken John Swinney so long to reach”.

“His dithering over the past week has been an insult to this vile predator’s victims, who have been appalled that someone who stood by Linden was deemed appropriate to stand for parliament by the SNP,” she added.

“Only at the eleventh hour before candidate nominations close and he was given even more information has John Swinney finally acted.

“But he was already aware of the damning secret recordings that proved Tracy Carragher was at pains to protect Jordan Linden and railed against anyone raising concerns about him.

“Ditching Tracy Carragher isn’t the end of the matter for John Swinney. This whole case smacks of SNP cover-up and secrecy.

“They wanted to protect their party rather than act on victims’ concerns.”

Following Linden’s conviction, Mr Swinney ordered an independent review into the SNP’s complaints procedures.

In a council motion due to to be debated on Thursday, Ms Carragher is accused of having ignored or downplayed complaints about Linden.

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North Lanarkshire Council - which has been run by a minority Labour administration since 2022 - will also vote on whether to suspend activity with the Scottish Youth Parliament, where Linden previously served as chairman.

Ms Carragher was deputy leader of the council when it was reported in 2022 that Linden had made unwanted advances towards a teenager three years earlier.

In a recording of an emergency meeting of the SNP group at North Lanarkshire Council, held a few days later, Ms Carragher seems to suggest the SNP had told Linden "not to comment", adding that the party "decide what happens".

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In December, The Scotsman told how a male SNP staffer had covertly recorded an MSP and two other female colleagues. He also shared private information about the MSP to journalists.

However, he was not sacked or expelled from the party but went on to work for a male MP.

It is understood he is still an SNP member and is on the campaign trail, helping to promote a candidate in Ayrshire.

Asked why the party appears to fail to act on inappropriate behaviour, Mr Swinney said: “What I want to make sure is that wherever we have any complaints, we act accordingly, and we act fairly and properly and fully, and we take necessary action.

“That's my style of operation, that's what I'm confident we'll do.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour has replaced its Glasgow Southside candidate after he was charged with fraud, the party has said.

Mohammed Ameen, 43, was due to contest the constituency – currently held by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon – but has since been replaced by Rashid Hussein.

He appeared in private at Ayr Sheriff Court last Thursday charged with fraud, according to the Crown Office, where he entered no plea and was granted bail.

In a statement, a spokesman for the party said: “Scottish Labour holds its candidates to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

“Upon becoming aware of serious matters relating to Mr Ameen, the party took immediate action.

“He has been suspended from membership and is no longer a candidate.”

It is understood the party had already agreed to replace Mr Ameen on the ballot paper for the May 7 election due to personal reasons, but took the decision to suspend his membership of the party after the issues came to light.

His replacement Mr Hussein said: “Glasgow is a city with huge strength, pride and potential – but after almost 20 years of SNP government too many people here feel let down.

“I’m standing to help deliver the change Glasgow Southside needs, get the basics right and build a better future for our communities.

“But people in Glasgow are tired of broken promises and being taken for granted.

“Glaswegians deserve better and Labour will deliver it – cutting NHS waiting lists, bringing back the family doctor, creating skilled jobs and apprenticeships, and making it easier for local families to find an affordable home.”