SNP STAFFER MADE UP LIES TO ATTACK MY CHARACTER
False claims of drink problem, paranoia and ‘losing the plot’
AN SNP staff member used an investigation into sex pest MP Patrick Grady to launch vile personal attacks on the victim.
The employee smeared the man, who was 19 at the time of the misconduct, as a “fantasist” with a drink problem although there was no evidence to support these claims.
The victim last night said: “Making up lies as a way to attack me after coming forward with a complaint would cross a line.”
Westminster authorities last week upheld a complaint that Grady had inappropriately touched the man’s back, neck and hair in a pub in 2016.
However, the SNP leadership at Westminster has been slammed for its response. It imposed a short suspension on the Glasgow North MP, while a leaked recording showed leader Ian Blackford urging colleagues to give Grady “absolute, full” support.
The victim also told the Record that the SNP’s treatment towards him was worse than Grady’s behaviour.
A summary of a statement given by an SNP staffer to the Westminster authorities in the probe reveals a catalogue of slurs aimed at the victim. The victim was dismissed as a “troubled person” who had engaged in “examples of curious and unsettling behaviour”. His WhatsApp output was called “manic” and he was accused of “nursing a sense of grievance on several fronts”.
The staffer’s statement also claimed the victim had a “developing issue with drink, that he was a fantasist who had ‘lost the plot’ and thought the world was against him”.
It was also claimed he had an “overinflated sense of importance” and constantly tried to find shortcuts to “greater financial reward”.
The staffer dragged the victim’s family into it, claiming his girlfriend had initially failed parliamentary vetting. His mental health was also raised.
The victim, still employed by the SNP at Westminster but on sick leave replied: “An attempt to discredit a victim of sexual harassment is an outdated trope used by those who know they are in the wrong and want to protect their friends. The culture of bullying victims who speak out must end.”
It came as SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said that he “deeply regrets” that the victim was sexually harassed by Grady.
The SNP has been approached for comment.