North Lanarkshire Council leader Jordan Linden has resigned following allegations of sexual harrassment.
The SNP group leader has stood down from his role after only two months at the helm of the local authority in the wake of claims that he had groped a teenager at a party in Dundee in 2019.
He has apologised and said today: “I accept that my behaviour at that party in 2019 caused a sense of discomfort which I entirely regret.”
Councillor Linden tendered his resignation as leader of the council today, ahead of a meeting of the SNP group taking place early this evening.
The Daily Record reports that the former leader emailed colleagues saying: “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.
“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 that he intends to continue in his role as a councillor for the Bellshill ward.
Opposition Labour members had been planning to lodge a no-confidence motion in the leader of the minority administration.
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council told Lanarkshire Live: “We can confirm that the chief executive has received a letter from Councillor Jordan Linden resigning his role as leader of the council.
“A new leader will be elected at a meeting of the council to be held in due course.”
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