BLACKFORD BACKED OVER GRADY
THE SNP’s depute leader has said he has full confidence in Ian Blackford over his handling of a complaint made against one of his MPs.
The party’s Westminster leader has drawn criticism in the wake of an independent investigation finding that Patrick Grady had acted inappropriately towards a member of SNP staff while drunk in 2016.
Grady was suspended from the House of Commons for two days as a result of the probe, with the party whip removed until the suspension had been served.
A recording made from an SNP group meeting came to light, with Blackford heard urging colleagues to back Grady.
The man who first made the complaint has also repeatedly criticised how it was handled within the party, and is not ruling out taking legal action.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Show, Keith Brown, who added his apology to the victim, said he was still backing Blackford. “I do have confidence in Ian Blackford,” he said.