Flynn ‘worried’ about comments from victim of ‘predator’ former council boss

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has said he is “worried” by accusations from one of the victims of former council leader Jordan Linden that party colleagues “enabled” his behaviour.

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.

Speaking to STV News, one anonymous victim said Linden’s actions “could have been stopped earlier”, adding that victims “weren’t believed, we were called liars, we were pushed out of politics”.

They said: “He was enabled, and I hope in time, we find out why.”

Speaking to the Press Association on Friday, Mr Flynn described Linden as a “predator”.

He said: “I’m horrified that this individual, who I would now regard as a predator, was able to get into such a senior position within the Scottish Youth Parliament and indeed go on in his professional life and become the leader of one of Scotland’s most important local authorities.

“I am genuinely angry that the victims have had to experience his behaviours and I want to pay testament to them and their bravery.

“I am worried by (the victim’s) comments, and I am sure that following the conclusion of what is an ongoing criminal matter… that the party will be able to respond in full to those.

“From my perspective, we need to make sure that we are providing support and safeguarding to everyone within the SNP, and that should be a constant driving force.”

Linden will be sentenced on May 5.

Two SNP councillors – Fiona Fotheringham and Tracy Carragher – reportedly testified in Linden’s defence during his trial.

Ms Carragher is SNP group leader in North Lanarkshire and is ranked seventh on the party’s regional list for Central Scotland and Lothians West.

Asked if she should quit or be sacked from the candidates list, Mr Flynn said: “Those councillors need to be clear about what they chose to do and what their views are now.

“That’s a matter for them and the party will be unsurprised by my particular strength of feeling in relation to this.”

He later said he would “expect” both councillors to outline their own positions.

Mr Flynn – who said he would have “confidence” in the party’s processes in dealing with complaints now – added that voters in North Lanarkshire would be “horrified” Linden had risen to such political heights.

“I think they will be as angry as I am that the victims had to experience his action,” he said.

“They will, like me, share a strong view that those victims need to have the full support going forward and also need to be commended for having the bravery to seek justice.

“I think that the public will know that justice has now been served and that this man on May 5 will see the consequences of his own actions.”

In a statement released on Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Diane Barr, the senior investigating officer, said: “This was a protracted investigation which involved speaking with a broad range of people, many of whom regarded Linden as being in a position of trust.

“He abused this position to befriend young males who were seeking his support and the opportunity to learn from his work, however his conduct toward them was far from professional.

“I’d like to thank the victims who came forward to report their experiences to police. Their testimony and support ensured that we were able to bring Linden before the courts.

“No-one should be subjected to sexual offending, and we will always investigate reports, regardless of when they occurred or who the perpetrator is.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said there are questions to be asked of First Minister John Swinney in the wake of the conviction.

Mr Swinney was in his own constituency on Friday, with Mr Flynn taking on the public face of the SNP election campaign instead.

“John Swinney must come clean and explain why that was allowed to happen, and he must also set out what the SNP has done to root out this behaviour within his party,” Dame Jackie said.

“We have previously seen the SNP’s attempts to evade accountability when Derek Mackay was found to have groomed a teenager, and they tried to halt publication of the story.

“We saw their willingness to allow Patrick Grady to return to the party fold at Westminster, despite having admitted to sexually harassing an SNP staff member.

“Enough is enough. John Swinney must make clear what he will do to end this sleazy and abhorrent conduct within his party, and explain why the party has consistently chosen cover-up rather than telling the truth.”

Scottish Tory Central Scotland candidate Meghan Gallacher said: “Serious questions remain unanswered by John Swinney and others at the top of the SNP as to how they handled complaints they received about Jordan Linden.

“The current SNP group leader in North Lanarkshire, Tracy Carragher, even testified in Linden’s defence. So she has questions to answer.

“Swinney must be completely transparent about what his party did and whether or not they brushed complaints made against Linden under the carpet.

“This is yet another case that stinks of SNP secrecy and cover-up.”