SNP council leader Jordan Linden quits amid sexual harassment allegations

SNP council leader Jordan Linden has resigned his position at North Lanarkshire Council following allegations he sexually harassed a teenager at a party.

Jordan Linden, 27, was accused of making unwanted advances towards the young man in 2019.

Linden had been due to address SNP colleagues later today.

He resigned his position as leader, but said he would continue as a councillor.

In an email, he said: "Although I have never approached any personal interaction with ill intent, I accept that my behaviour at that party in 2019 caused a sense of discomfort which I entirely regret.

"I offered my apologies to the person concerned at the time and the matter was closed. I reiterate that apology today. And in all that’s been said in recent days, the empathetic words from that individual have given me the most reassurance."

Linden is said to have pulled out of the race to be a SNP candidate for Westminster days after the incident in 2019.

Scottish Labour's Neil Bibby said: “This resignation was the right thing to do, but it doesn’t fix the rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up at the heart of the SNP.

“His apology makes it all the more appalling that the SNP hierarchy were so willing to close ranks to protect him.

“The SNP cannot keep looking the other way and letting their scandal-hit politicians call the shots.”