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First Minister John Swinney has called for an independent examination of the SNP’s complaints handling procedures following the conviction of a former council leader for sexual offences against young men. Jordan Linden, aged 30, was found guilty of five counts of assault and sending inappropriate sexual messages to teenagers, including one as young as 14. The verdict came after a trial where several witnesses alleged that previous complaints about Linden, who led North Lanarkshire Council as an SNP member, were overlooked by the party.
Responding to the case, the SNP emphasized its commitment to protecting individuals and ensuring that complaints protocols are stringent. A spokesperson noted that although the party had reviewed its complaints system extensively since 2016, John Swinney has now directed an independent review to be undertaken in light of the recent conviction. The party also expressed support for the victims, praising their courage in coming forward during the investigation.
However, criticism of the SNP’s response has come from within. Cameron McManus, a North Lanarkshire councillor who had lodged complaints against Linden, described the party’s handling of the allegations as “horrendous.” He accused the SNP of attempting to minimize the situation and dismissing the accounts of victims, including himself and others who informed the party about Linden’s conduct. This criticism highlights the tension around how complaints were managed within the party prior to the trial.
Linden’s offences, spanning a decade from 2011 to 2021, involved illegal sexual advances and the sharing of explicit images. Victims recounted incidents such as unwanted physical contact at events connected to various SNP youth organizations, including the Scottish Youth Parliament and the party’s LGBT wing. At one point, Linden, who became a councillor the year after some offences and later North Lanarkshire council leader in 2022, was alleged to have locked a party official in a bathroom and coerced him into indecent behavior. Following the emergence of accusations, Linden resigned his leadership role. The SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, condemned Linden’s actions and expressed outrage that someone with such a predatory nature had gained positions of authority within political youth movements and local government. Police Scotland arrested Linden in February 2024, and although he denied the allegations claiming consent or denial of events, he was ultimately placed on the sex offenders register after his conviction. The Scottish Youth Parliament condemned his behavior, stating it stood entirely against their values
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