Calls for Ian Blackford to resign amid 'full support' for suspended SNP MP
Patrick Grady was found to have made an 'unwanted sexual advance' towards a junior party worker
Last updated 18th Jun 2022
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford is facing calls from opposition parties to resign after a leaked recording reportedly shows him instructing fellow MPs to give their “absolute, full support” to an MP found to have inappropriately touched a teenage staffer.
Patrick Grady, formerly the SNP’s chief whip in London, was found to have made an “unwanted sexual advance” towards the party worker at a social gathering in 2016.
On Tuesday, the Independent Expert Panel For Sexual Misconduct concluded that the Glasgow North MP should apologise and be suspended from the House of Commons for two days for his behaviour.
The junior SNP worker, who was 19 years old at the time of the incident, was subjected to "touching and stroking" of his "neck, hair, and back”, a report into Grady's conduct said.
The First Minister insisted “zero tolerance” of sexual misconduct was important.
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Party slammed for 'disgusting' behaviour
Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie and Neil Bibby called for Blackford to resign his post for “celebrating” Grady’s expected return following his short suspension from the SNP group at Westminster.
“That Ian Blackford and SNP MPs would stand and applaud after one of their colleagues admitted abusing his position to take sexual advantage of a staff member is disgusting,” he said.
“There is no place in politics for men who turn a blind eye to abuse because it has been perpetrated by a friend.
“Victims must know that if they speak out against the powerful in politics they will see justice done – that has not happened in this case.”
Calling for the Glasgow MP to resign his seat, Bibby said there were questions for the SNP over how the complaints against Grady were handled.
It's after The Mail reported a leaked “secret recording” of a SNP Westminster group meeting in which Blackford is said to have told members they should give their “absolute, full support” to Grady.
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An 'orchestrated campaign'
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher also called on Blackford to leave his post as the leader of the SNP at Westminster or for the First Minister to sack him.
“Ever since this complaint was first raised the SNP have been evasive and sought to sweep it under the carpet,” she said.
“Then, Blackford and his colleagues were shamefully mealy-mouthed in condemning Patrick Grady when the brave victim was vindicated this week.
“Now we know why. There was an orchestrated campaign from the very top of the SNP to back Patrick Grady – rather than support the young victim.”
We have approached the SNP for comment.