Yousaf must sort out SNP sex scandals

It should go without saying that sex pests have no place in any political party.

But senior figures in a party who cover-up, bully or blame those making complaints should also never get in positions of power.

The SNP, already at the centre of a police investigation into its finances, could be facing a second criminal probe into claims of abuse by ex-council leader Jordan Linden.

Cammie McManus, one of a number of young men who say they have been abused by North Lanarkshire’s ex-leader, has given up his anonymity and resigned his membership because senior figures in the SNP have failed to investigate.

Cammie also said he has been ostracised and attacked by his own party for even daring to report the alleged abuse. His only option for justice is to now go to police.

The SNP does not have good track record in dealing with members accused of sexual harrassment. The party turned a blind eye to former finance minister Derek Mackay until it was confronted with claims he’d been texting a 16-year- old boy.

Ex-Westminster leader Ian Blackford was caught on tape trying to defend shamed MP Patrick Grady who’d made unwanted advances to a 19-year-old.

The last thing the First Minister needs is another police investigation that might force SNP HQ into having to answer questions about who knew what and when.

Just as SNP figures try to turn the fraud probe into missing party finances into some kind of joke or conspiracy, they should remember it is a probe triggered by complaints from members of their own party.

SNP HQ did everything they could to deny, brief against and belittle the Sunday Mail’s exclusive reports revealing the scandal over the past two years. Had they instead taken action to address legitimate concerns things could be very different.

The reaction to our reporting on complaints made by their members on the Linden scandal comes from the same belligerent playbook and risks reaping simi larly catastrophic results.

Humza Yousaf needs to end this disgraceful culture and personally step in to make sure all sex harrassment allegations are properly investigated, while alleged victims are supported.

Failure to do so will only further fuel fears that something is badly rotten at the heart of Scotland’s governing party.