Politician sexually assaulted victims at Pride social gathering – youngest was 14 | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A former SNP council chief has been discovered responsible of a number of intercourse offences in opposition to boys and younger males, with the youngest aged 14. Jordan Linden, 30, sexually assaulted two of his victims at a home social gathering after a Dundee Pride parade in 2019, based on Police Scotland.

The drive stated all Linden’s victims have been both boys or younger males, with the youngest aged 14. His offences came about between 2011 and 2021. Det Ch Insp Diane Barr stated the investigation concerned chatting with many individuals who regarded Linden as occupying a place of belief.

She added: “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 wish to thank the victims who got here ahead to report their experiences to police. Their testimony and help ensured that we have been in a position to carry Linden earlier than the courts.”

Linden resigned as the leader of North Lanarkshire Council in July 2022 after reports of alleged sexual harassment emerged. It led to the collapse of the SNP administration in the area. Linden left the Nats in 2024.

He was convicted of 10 separate offences, including five sexual assaults, on Thursday (March 26) after a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

The politician was also found guilty of three counts of stalking or engaging in a course of conduct causing fear or alarm, one of coercing a person to look at a sexual image and communicating indecently and one of intentionally causing another to look at a sexual image without consent.

An SNP spokesperson said the party hoped the verdict brought some justice to those who bravely came forward and shared their experiences. They added: “Their braveness in talking out can’t be overstated. As proceedings stay ongoing, it could be inappropriate to remark additional presently.”

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “Our ideas are with the victims of abuse on this case. All facets of the council’s youth work service have safeguarding insurance policies and protocols in place to guard people.”

Linden also chaired the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), which put out a statement on Thursday describing his actions as “reprehensible”. A spokesperson said the SYP’s first thoughts are with those Linden harmed.

They added: “His actions have been reprehensible and diametrically against the values and ethos of the Scottish Youth Parliament and we now have totally supported the investigation by Police Scotland and subsequent prosecution.

“An independent review of our safeguarding arrangements, commissioned in the wake of the allegations, found that our child protection policies fully complied with national guidelines and legislation. Safeguarding, wellbeing and child protection are of paramount importance to SYP.”

Linden is because of be sentenced at Falkirk Sheriff Court on May 5.

SNP chief John Swinney has ordered an impartial overview of the social gathering’s complaints process. The social gathering is going through accusations it did not cope with complaints about his conduct.

Speaking to STV News, one nameless sufferer stated Linden’s actions “could have been stopped earlier”, including victims “weren’t believed”, “were called liars” and “pushed out of politics”. They stated: “He was enabled, and I hope in time we find out why.”

A spokesperson stated the SNP has undertaken a complete overview of its complaints procedures since 2016, however in mild of the Linden case Mr Swinney instructed an impartial overview of the procedures.

Meanwhile, certainly one of Linden’s fellow councillors, Tracy Carragher – the present chief of the SNP group on the council – denied defending him throughout his trial.

Ms Carragher stated: “I welcome the decision reached by the jury. It should send a message that even when victims do not go to the police straightaway, justice can still be done.

“My ideas are with the victims on this case, and I really hope that this verdict will carry them some closure. I used to be known as as a witness in Jordan Linden’s trial, and so I gave an trustworthy account of my involvement and my information of occasions. I didn’t at any level defend Mr Linden.”

Fellow councillor Fiona Fotheringham also gave evidence during the trial. She has not made a statement.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn told journalists on Friday it is for the councillors who gave evidence to “be clear about what they selected to do and what their views are actually”.

The SNP spokesperson added: “Having not been conscious of the element of the trial, a query was put to Stephen Flynn which appeared to recommend councillor Carragher had sought to defend Mr Linden.

“In fact, councillor Carragher was called as a witness in a criminal court case and was required to attend and give her evidence to the best of her knowledge.”