Victim disappointed with First Minister's backing for SNP Westminster leader
The man is still weighing up an offer to meet with Nicola Sturgeon following Patrick Grady case
Last updated 24th Jun 2022
An SNP staff member, who complained about the inappropriate behaviour of a senior MP, says he’s disappointed the First Minister has given her backing to the party’s Westminster leader.
Nicola Sturgeon revealed to MSPs that she has offered to meet with the victim to apologise personally following criticism of how the party dealt with the case.
But speaking after First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said she still had “full confidence” in Ian Blackford.
“It is disappointing to hear that she has full confidence in Ian Blackford when he is the one who has put us in this situation” the victim told West FM .
He added: “Hearing quotes like that, that she’s got full confidence in Ian, makes it difficult for me to meet with Nicola”.
The victim said he is still considering the offer from the First Minister which he also described as a “good first step”.
Patrick Grady was suspended from parliament for two days after being found to have made an unwanted sexual advance towards the staff member in 2016. He also apologised in the Commons.
The fallout has prompted the party to order an external review into the support available to staff who come forward with complaints.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford told us last night, he is also willing to meet with the victim.
He said: “It wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to engage with any complainant while that was going through an independent parliamentary process. That has now reached a conclusion and I will certainly be making sure that I am available to meet with the complainant.”
In response, the victim told us a meeting was doubtful.
“It seems like he was only willing to meet with me after the First Minister offered to do it and after a journalist has asked him to his face.”
He added: “I don’t really think the meeting would achieve much at this point other than him trying to save face.”