Former SNP Chief Executive Aware of Linden Complaints in 2016
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), was informed about complaints concerning Jordan Linden approximately ten years ago, according to a former member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP).
Linden, who previously served as leader of North Lanarkshire Council, was convicted last month of five sexual assaults against young men.
Amy Lee Fraioli, a former Labour election candidate and member of the SYP board in 2016, stated that the SYP's chief executive at the time had notified Murrell that the organisation was investigating allegations of sexual misconduct.
Party Leader's Response and Independent Review
Following Linden's conviction, SNP leader John Swinney issued an apology to the victims and announced that an independent review of the party's complaints procedures would be conducted.
Linden's Involvement and Conviction Details
Jordan Linden, aged 30, was active in the SNP's youth wing for several years and was appointed chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament in 2015. He resigned from this position in 2016 after explicit images of him began circulating among members.
Last month, Linden was found guilty of ten charges, including five counts of sexual assault and sending unwanted sexual communications to teenagers, with offences spanning from 2011 to 2021.
Investigation Initiated by SYP in 2016
Fraioli confirmed to BBC Scotland News that the SYP started receiving reports in 2016 regarding members being sent sexual images. As a result, the organisation engaged a private law firm to investigate these complaints.
At the time, the youth parliament's officials were located in the same Edinburgh building as the SNP. The SYP's chief executive, Ben McKendrick, informed Peter Murrell about the ongoing investigation.
"He went up and he spoke to Peter Murrell, he informed him of the investigation and the fact that it was taking place at that time in 2016,"
Fraioli told the Mail on Sunday, which was the first to report this information.
Outcome of Initial Investigation and Linden's Political Career
The law firm conducting the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing. Subsequently, in 2017, Linden was elected as a councillor in North Lanarkshire.
In 2022, he rose to become leader of the North Lanarkshire Council but resigned two months later following further allegations of sexual harassment.
Fraioli's Background and Party's Statement
Now 27 years old, Amy Lee Fraioli first became involved with the Scottish Youth Parliament as a teenager and served as its chair in 2017.
An SNP spokesperson did not directly address Fraioli's claims but stated that the party has conducted a "comprehensive review of complaints procedures since 2016."
The spokesperson added:
"In light of this case the party leader, John Swinney, has instructed that an independent review of these procedures be conducted.
This will ensure people are protected and our complaints procedures are as robust as they can be.
More generally, the SNP welcomes the verdict against Mr Linden and commends the bravery of the individuals who came forward and shared their experiences with the police."
