SNP told to 'come clean' on handling of Jordan Linden complaints

Jordan Linden resigned as the leader of North Lanarkshire Council in July 2022 after reports of alleged sexual harassment emerged, leading to the collapse of the SNP administration in the area. He left the SNP in 2024.

The 30-year-old was convicted of 10 separate offences on Thursday following a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, including five sexual assaults.

He was also found guilty of three counts of stalking or engaging in a course of conduct causing fear or alarm, one of coercing a person to look at a sexual image and communicating indecently, and one of intentionally causing another to look at a sexual image without consent.

Following his arrest in 2024, Linden was originally charged with 15 offences.

READ MORE: Former SNP council leader guilty of sexual assault of five men and boys

During the trial, a councillor who made complaints about Linden said: “Everywhere I went for help in the SNP I was ignored or it was downplayed."

The man said he reported Linden’s behaviour to police in 2023 because he “did not feel confident” the reports he had made to the SNP would be dealt with appropriately.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said the First Minister must explain his party’s handling of the case.

She said: “These are despicable crimes, and it is right that this vile individual is held fully responsible for his crimes. However, there are also serious questions for the SNP to answer.

"During the trial, one of the men targeted by Linden said that when he went for help from the party, he was ‘ignored or it was downplayed’.

“John Swinney must come clean and explain why that was allowed to happen, and he must also set out what the SNP has done to root out this behaviour within his party.

“We have previously seen the SNP’s attempts to evade accountability when Derek Mackay was found to have groomed a teenager, and they tried to halt publication of the story.

“And we saw their willingness to allow Patrick Grady to return to the party fold at Westminster, despite having admitted to sexually harassing an SNP staff member.

“Enough is enough. John Swinney must make clear what he will do to end this sleazy and abhorrent conduct within his party and explain why the party has consistently chosen cover-up rather than telling the truth.”

Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry called for an independent inquiry into the SNP’s complaints system.

Writing on X, she said: “As heard in evidence at his trial, SNP HQ ignored complaints against Jordan Linden. This was part of a systemic failure which went on for years.

“Complaints of harassment or bullying were ignored unless they could be weaponised against those seen as a threat to the leadership.

“The cant and hypocrisy about always listening to victims that we have had to endure during this period has been insufferable.

“It’s time for this to stop and for John Swinney to set up an independent inquiry into the SNP complaints system and to address any outstanding complaints.”

An SNP said: "We hope this verdict brings some justice to those who have bravely come forward and shared their experiences - their courage in speaking out cannot be overstated. As proceedings remain ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Linden is due to be sentenced at Falkirk Sheriff Court on May 5.