SNP has ‘effective process’ for dealing with abusive behaviour, Swinney insists

John Swinney has insisted the SNP has “an effective process in place” for scrutinising abusive behaviour, amid accusations it failed to deal with complaints about former council leader Jordan Linden.

Mr Swinney was speaking the day after party announced an independent review into its complaint handling procedures, in the wake of Linden’s conviction for sex and stalking offences.

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 on Friday, 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.”

In an interview with the Press Association on Saturday, Mr Swinney began by issuing an apology to Linden’s victims.

“The first thing I want to say is that for anybody who has suffered as a consequence of the behaviour of Jordan Linden, I’m very, very sorry for what they have experienced,” he said.

He continued: “I want to make sure the SNP has the strongest possible complaints handling process in place in all circumstances.

“This process was reviewed in 2022 but I want to, in the light of the trial that (has been) completed, make sure that some independent scrutiny is applied to that complaints handling process so that we have the strongest arrangements in place.”

“What I would say is that the SNP has an effective process in place to scrutinise any poor behaviour, any abusive behaviour, and we will review that to make sure that it is appropriate for all the circumstances that we may face.”

He was also asked about the reaction of one of Linden’s fellow councillors, Tracy Carragher – the current leader of the SNP group on the council – to Linden’s resignation.

A covert recording of an SNP group meeting, published in the Sunday Mail in 2023, appears to show Ms Carragher’s immediate concern had been to “show that we are functioning” in order to deflect attacks by Labour.

Asked whether this was the correct response when allegations like this surface, Mr Swinney said: “It’s appropriate in all circumstances that we listen to the account and the experience of victims and that that’s acted upon.

“That’s what I put at the heart of all of the judgments that we make, and that’s exactly what we’ll do in the future.”

He also said he would be “very happy” to meet with Linden’s victims.

On Friday, Ms Carragher – who is seventh on the party’s list for the Central Scotland and West Lothians region in May’s Holyrood election – said she welcomed Linden’s guilty verdict.

“It should send a message that even when victims do not go to the police straight away, justice can still be done,” she said.

“My thoughts are with the victims in this case, and I truly hope that this verdict will bring them some closure.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “The SNP behaves like a criminal enterprise and expects to get away with it.

“But unless Don John Swinney comes clean with the people of Scotland, he’ll be punished by decent law-abiding Scots on May 7.

“He must immediately name and shame who in the SNP was responsible for this disgraceful cover-up, sack Tracy Carragher who backed Linden and confirm all SNP figures have cut ties with him.

“If he continues to refuse to do this there is only one conclusion to draw – John Swinney is not on the side of the victims of Jordan Linden’s sexual abuse, he is on the side of those who covered up for the abuser.”

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.”

Linden will be sentenced on May 5.