Police investigation into Patrick Grady harassment claim is dropped

Police have dropped a probe into sexual harassment allegations against Patrick Grady MP.

Grady, who represents Glasgow North, stepped away from SNP membership after the Sunday Mail reported that the Metropolitan Police was following up on a complaint against him.

However, the force has said "there will be no further police action at this time".

That comes after officers spoke with the alleged victim.

The complaint was submitted by a third party late last month and concerns an incident said to have taken place in London in October 2016.

Grady is now sitting as an independent, but was elected as an SNP MP.

He was issued a two-day suspension from parliament last month after a report found he had made a sexual advance towards an SNP staff member.

The independent panel found he had touched the younger man's neck, hair and back at a social event at a pub, and, in a formal statement to parliament, he said he was "profoundly sorry".

The staff member, who has remained anonymous, has criticised the party's handling of the matter and dismissed an apology from SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford after he called on SNP MPs to support Grady.

That audio was leaked to the press and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has offered to meet with the complainant.