John Swinney accused of having 'failed to act' over Linden scandal after ignored plea revealed
John Swinney is facing more questions over the SNP’s handing of complaints against Jordan Linden.
John Swinney is facing pressure from Scottish Labour over allegations he “failed to act” in relation to the Jordan Linden scandal despite being urged to intervene six months ago.
The SNP leader, who has now apologised to the victims of Linden, ordered an independent review into the SNP’s complaints procedures.
It comes after Linden, the former leader of North Lanarkshire Council, was convicted of 10 separate offences on Thursday following a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, including five sexual assaults.
It has now been claimed that Mr Swinney received a letter urging him to launch an investigation into the process in September last year but did not act ahead of the criminal trial.
The letter to Mr Swinney was sent by North Lanarkshire councillor Greg Lennon "on behalf of affected former SNP councillors".
It warned that "eight (then) SNP councillors repeatedly raised safeguarding concerns in relation to the alleged sexual misconduct of Cllr Jordan James Linden, North Lanarkshire SNP group leader”.
It added: “Thereafter, those councillors were subjected to prolonged suspension, exclusion, bullying and harassment and a series of unfounded or mishandled complaints.
“As a result, all eight councillors subsequently left the SNP and formed Progressive Change North Lanarkshire.”
The letter also contains a detailed timeline of events from 2022, up to the point in September 2025 reiterating the “request to first minister John Swinney MSP for confirmation and continuation of the promised inquiry”.
Those behind the letter have confirmed no response was ever received.
Scottish Labour deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, said: "John Swinney pretends to care about the victims of the reprehensible sex predator Jordan Linden - and yet, we now learn that he was urged to investigate the SNP's complaints process six months ago and did nothing.
"Not only did he fail to act, but he also did not even bother to respond to the letter that was sent to him about it.
"Six months on, and following the conviction of Linden, Swinney is still refusing to provide any answers about the SNP's complaints process and explain why this vile behaviour was not only allowed but covered up for so long.”
She added: “Tracy Carragher, who is alleged to have shut down victims' complaints, and even gave evidence in defence of Linden during the trial, remains an SNP candidate.
"This demonstrates that Swinney could not care less about the victims of a sex predator, he only cares about protecting the reputation of the SNP.
"If Swinney has any backbone at all, he will hold a televised press conference to clearly set out what he knew about Linden and why he refused to act.
"And he must provide complete transparency about why the SNP, for years, sought to cover up and gaslight victims when it was clear that Linden was a predator."
Scottish Conservative candidate for Uddingston and Bellshill, Meghan Gallacher, said: "John Swinney might have finally issued a grovelling apology to predator Jordan Linden's victims, but that now looks hollow. He cannot pretend this scandal is new news to him.
"We now know that the SNP leader and his cabal of advisers were told six months ago to review their complaints process, but he's sat on his hands.
"Victims have been silenced, complaints were ignored and an apologist for Linden is still hoping to become an MSP.
"John Swinney cannot hope this situation goes away. They must tell the public about the awfulness they stood by and failed to address and how they will set it right for Linden's victims and how they will restore trust in their party and the Scottish Youth Parliament."
On Saturday, Mr Swinney said: “I want to say at the outset of all of this that I apologise to the victims of Jordan Linden.
“They have had experiences they should never have had, and that is his conduct, but certainly I am very happy to express an apology to them.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “We have undertaken a comprehensive review of our complaints procedures since 2016, but in light of this case the party Leader, John Swinney, has instructed that an independent review of these procedures be conducted.
“This will ensure people are protected and our complaints procedures are as robust as they can be.
"More generally, the SNP welcomes the verdict against Mr Linden and commends the bravery of the individuals who came forward and shared their experiences with the police."
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