Swinney: Rooting out predators from party is more important than independence

First Minister John Swinney is sending a message to SNP members that rooting out predators is more important than independence, he has said.

Mr Swinney’s comments come after he sacked a candidate for Holyrood over allegations she did not pass on complaints against former North Lanarkshire Council leader Jordan Linden who was convicted of 10 offences, including five sexual assaults.

Tracy Carragher, who was the leader of the SNP on the council, was also suspended from the party.

But in recordings released by former SNP councillor Cameron McManus of private meetings held by the party group when allegations relating to Linden came to light, councillor Claire Barclay can be heard saying whistleblowers “put the administration at risk, they’ve put the party at risk and independence at risk”, later describing the action as threatening the “full force” of party discipline.

Asked by journalists at an event in Edinburgh, on Thursday, if he would tell activists and elected representatives that the rooting out of predators was more important than independence, the First Minister said: “I think that’s what I’m doing.”

Speaking earlier to the Press Association, the First Minister said the decision was taken to sack Ms Carragher as a candidate on the Central Scotland and Lothians West because allegations had been made that she had not passed on complaints made about Linden, who was convicted last week.

“Some information came to light about whether complaints had been properly handled in relation to the Jordan Linden case,” he said.

“That merits further investigation and that’s exactly what will happen.

“In those circumstances, it’s not possible for an individual to be a party member and to be a candidate, which is why that action had to be taken.”

The First Minister went on to say it was “important that the voices of victims and complainants are heard”, and when challenged that had not been the case with regard to Linden, Mr Swinney added: “That’s one of the issues that’s been raised, which is why it’s being investigated.”

In the wake of concerns about the handling of complaints against Linden, the First Minister launched an independent review of the process, and told PA on Thursday that probe would look into the process as a whole as well as the specific complaints made against Linden.