SNP Leader Defends Party's Handling of Abuse Complaints After Conviction
First Minister John Swinney has firmly stated that the Scottish National Party maintains "an effective process in place" for addressing abusive behaviour, despite mounting criticism over its handling of complaints involving former council leader Jordan Linden. This declaration comes just one day after the party initiated an independent review of its complaint handling procedures, triggered by Linden's recent conviction for serious offences.
Linden's Conviction and Victim Testimonies
Jordan Linden, the former leader of North Lanarkshire Council, was found guilty of ten separate offences at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday, including five counts of sexual assault. The conviction has sparked intense scrutiny of the SNP's internal processes, with one anonymous victim telling STV News that Linden's actions "could have been stopped earlier" and that victims "weren't believed, we were called liars, we were pushed out of politics." The victim added, "He was enabled, and I hope in time we find out why."
Swinney's Apology and Commitment to Review
In an interview with the Press Association on Saturday, Mr Swinney began by issuing a heartfelt apology to Linden's victims. "The first thing I want to say is that for anybody who has suffered as a consequence of the behaviour of Jordan Linden, I'm very, very sorry for what they have experienced," he stated. He emphasised his commitment to ensuring the SNP has "the strongest possible complaints handling process in place in all circumstances," noting that while the process was reviewed in 2022, independent scrutiny is now necessary following the trial's conclusion.
Mr Swinney elaborated, "What I would say is that the SNP has an effective process in place to scrutinise any poor behaviour, any abusive behaviour, and we will review that to make sure that it is appropriate for all the circumstances that we may face." He also expressed willingness to meet with Linden's victims, stating he would be "very happy" to do so.
Controversy Over Councillor's Response
The First Minister was questioned about the reaction of Tracy Carragher, the current leader of the SNP group on North Lanarkshire Council, to Linden's resignation. A covert recording from a 2023 SNP group meeting, published in the Sunday Mail, appeared to show Ms Carragher's primary concern was to "show that we are functioning" to deflect Labour attacks. When asked if this was appropriate, Mr Swinney responded, "It's appropriate in all circumstances that we listen to the account and the experience of victims and that that's acted upon. That's what I put at the heart of all of the judgments that we make, and that's exactly what we'll do in the future."
On Friday, Ms Carragher, who is seventh on the party's list for the Central Scotland and West Lothians region in May's Holyrood election, welcomed Linden's guilty verdict. She said, "It should send a message that even when victims do not go to the police straight away, justice can still be done. My thoughts are with the victims in this case, and I truly hope that this verdict will bring them some closure."
Political Criticism and Police Statement
Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie launched a scathing attack, accusing the SNP of behaving "like a criminal enterprise and expects to get away with it." She demanded that Mr Swinney "name and shame who in the SNP was responsible for this disgraceful cover-up, sack Tracy Carragher who backed Linden and confirm all SNP figures have cut ties with him." She warned that failure to act would lead voters to conclude that "John Swinney is not on the side of the victims of Jordan Linden's sexual abuse, he is on the side of those who covered up for the abuser."
Detective Chief Inspector Diane Barr, the senior investigating officer, released a statement on Friday praising the victims' courage. "This was a protracted investigation which involved speaking with a broad range of people, many of whom regarded Linden as being in a position of trust. He abused this position to befriend young males who were seeking his support and the opportunity to learn from his work. However, his conduct toward them was far from professional," she said. She thanked the victims for coming forward, emphasising that "no-one should be subjected to sexual offending, and we will always investigate reports, regardless of when they occurred or who the perpetrator is."
Jordan Linden is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, as the SNP continues to navigate the fallout from this high-profile case and its implications for the party's internal governance and public trust.
