A Lanarkshire councillor has quit after allegations that he sexually harassed a teenager at a party emerged.
Jordan Linden resigned after two months in charge of North Lanarkshire Council following the accusations that he groped a teenager in 2019 were published. The 27-year-old expressed "regret" for his actions and apologised.
It was reported that Linden harassed the teenager at a flat in Dundee following a Pride party in the city. He pulled out of the race to become an SNP candidate for Westminster just days later.
Linden is due to address SNP colleagues at 5pm, reports the Daily Record.
Read more: North Lanarkshire Council leader accused of groping teenager at boozy flat party
In an email to colleagues, he wrote: "I want to make colleagues aware that I am resigning from my position as Leader of North Lanarkshire Council today.
"Although I have never approached any personal interaction with ill intent, I accept that my behaviour at that party in 2019 caused a sense of discomfort which I entirely regret. I offered my apologies to the person concerned at the time and the matter was closed. I reiterate that apology today. And in all that’s been said in recent days, the empathetic words from that individual have given me the most reassurance.
"The recent press coverage of this has placed an immense strain on me personally. My mental health and wellbeing is being seriously affected, and the impact it is having is profound. This is foremost in my consideration about my future, as well as the interests of my partner, family and those closest to me. By resigning, I hope to be allowed the space to get my mental health back in balance.
"I have no wish for my personal circumstances to overshadow the work of the political administration of the council as it implements the manifesto on which it was elected in May.
He added: "The council carries out extremely important work every day for people across the whole of North Lanarkshire and it is vital that there is no distraction, particularly at a time when many of the people we represent face unprecedented cost of living pressures and daily challenges.
"It has been the privilege of my life to serve in this role, and I remain proud that I was able to lead the Scottish National Party to administration in North Lanarkshire for the first time. I intend to continue to represent the people of Bellshill to the very best of my ability as a councillor, as I have done since first being elected in 2017. The privilege of representing my home town continues to be incredibly special to me."
The 27-year-old, who leads a minority administration in North Lanarkshire, was in line to face a motion of no confidence after Labour called on him to quit.
With the arithmetic tight, insiders say he was not guaranteed to win the vote and could have plunged the new administration into crisis.
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