Police investigate youth parliament ‘sex harassment’
SNP councillor steps aside over probe
AN SNP councillor stepped aside from the party last night after police were called in to deal with allegations of sexual harassment at the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Jordan Linden strongly denied any wrongdoing and insisted that any allegations were ‘false’.
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) said that they called in police after they were made aware of ‘historic allegations’ earlier this month.
It is understood the SYP, which is run as a charity, last year probed a claim that a member sent an explicit photograph to a minor and harassed others in the organisation.
But, according to reports, after consulting child protection experts and lawyers, the SYP concluded the allegations were false and there was ‘no case to answer’.
However, Police Scotland have confirmed SYP chiefs have now approached them regarding the matter and an inquiry has been launched to ‘establish if anyone is reporting a crime’.
Last night, Mr Linden admitted in a statement he had been investigated by SYP chiefs, but said he had been ‘cleared of any wrong-doing’ and claimed people were ‘spreading lies’. Deputy Scottish Political Editor However, he stepped aside from the SNP and is now sitting as an independent councillor in North Lanarkshire.
Mr Linden, 22, deleted his Twitter account, which listed him as spokesman on youth, communities and equalities.
In a statement, he said: ‘I have been cleared of any wrong-doing already; these are false allegations. I hope the police will act against those who are spreading lies against me and others. I have stepped aside from the SNP until this is resolved.’ Mr Linden, who was elected as a councillor in May, was chairman of the SYP before stepping down last year. In June 2015 he described being elected into the role as the ‘privilege of my life’.
He worked for Nationalist MP Marion Fellows, and now lists himself as an administration officer for MSP Richard Lyle.
Mr Linden revealed he had stepped aside from the SNP council group in North Lanarkshire just hours after it emerged the SYP had called in police.
The local authority said it could not comment as ‘this is a police matter’.
The SYP is made up of around 150 people aged between 14 and 25 and campaigns on issues including mental health and young people’s rights.
A police spokesman said the force had been contacted by the SYP ‘concerning possible inappropriate conduct by some of its members and former members’.
He added: ‘The reporting and tackling of sexual harassment is a priority for Police Scotland, with all complaints received thoroughly investigated.’
An SYP spokesman refused to comment, but provided a statement. It said: ‘SYP wishes to make it clear that all allegations of harassment or inappropriate behaviour of any kind are taken very seriously, investigated thoroughly, and the appropriate action taken in line with our policies.
‘We have robust child protection and disciplinary processes in place to ensure that the wellbeing of all the young people with whom we work is protected.
‘As a police investigation is now under way, we are not able to offer further comment at this time.’
Mr Linden’s decision to step aside from the SNP comes a week after MSP Mark McDonald was suspended from the party over allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by several women.
He had already resigned as a Scottish Government minister after claims he made suggestive remarks in a text to a woman.
Last night a spokesman for the SNP said: ‘We have contacted Police Scotland and they tell us there is no named individual currently under investigation.’
‘I have been cleared already’