Recording of SNP attempting to support Jordan Linden released amid 'cover-up' claims
A recording of an internal SNP meeting discussing allegations against Jordan Linden has been published
The SNP has been accused of attempting to “bully and gaslight victims of sexual abuse” after recordings of a party meetings discussing Jordan Linden were published.
Scottish Labour has launched another attack on the SNP after Linden, the former leader of North Lanarkshire Council, was convicted of 10 separate offences following a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, including five sexual assaults.
In a series of audio clips from 2022, now made public, SNP North Lanarkshire councillors including Tracy Carragher, Claire Barclay, Kirsten Larson, and Fiona Fotheringham, can all be heard giving their support to Linden in the wake of newspaper reports about his crimes.
They include Ms Larson claiming that “the only thing Jordan Linden is guilty of is being a young person”, and threats by Ms Barclay to find and discipline an individual responsible for leaking information about Linden to the press.
In contrast to John Swinney and the SNP’s claims not to have known about Linden’s behaviour, Ms Carragher also confirms that “the party told him (Linden) not to comment. Things like this, the party do decide what happens, the press… they handle these situations”.
Ms Carragher is under pressure to quit as an SNP candidate for the regional list at May’s election after it emerged she was called as a defence witness during Linden’s criminal trial.
On Friday, Mr Swinney ordered an independent review into the SNP’s complaints procedures.
Scottish Labour deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, said: “These recordings prove that the Scottish nasty party are determined to bully and gaslight victims of sexual abuse, and intimidate journalists, all to try and desperately preserve their reputation.
“Disgraceful remarks can be heard from several SNP councillors in these recordings, with one claiming that ‘the only thing Jordan Linden is guilty of is being a young person’, and another comparing the situation to the SNP’s handling of Patrick Grady.”
READ MORE: John Swinney accused of having 'failed to act' over Linden scandal after ignored plea revealed
She added: “Despite the SNP attempting to deny knowing about Linden’s despicable behaviour, they were told explicitly about him in emails sent in 2017 and 2022.
“And Swinney was urged to launch an investigation into the SNP’s complaints process last year but decided to ignore the letter that was sent to him.
“This proves that Swinney and the SNP simply do not care about victims of sexual abuse and harassment. If they did, they would already have removed Tracy Carragher as a candidate, after she gave evidence in defence of Linden just last week.
“The SNP and Swinney are not fit for office. They are a party that is addicted to cover-up and secrecy, only interested in their own self-preservation and self-interest.”
Earlier this year, Scottish Labour removed the education brief from its now former MSP, Pam Duncan-Glancy, after she maintained a friendship with convicted paedophile Sean Morton, but allowed her to keep the party whip until pressure mounted from opponents to act.
Ms Gallagher has denounced Linden following his conviction.
In a statement, she said: “I was called as a witness in Jordan Linden’s trial, and so I gave an honest account of my involvement and my knowledge of events.
“I did not at any point defend Mr Linden.”
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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