The SNP has been criticised for a “shamefully weak” response to a party MP being found guilty of sexual misconduct.
Patrick Grady 's suspension from the SNP Westminster group may only be in place for a few days.
Grady, a former Chief Whip for the party, was this week found by Westminster authorities to have touched and stroked a teenage SNP worker’s neck, back and hair in a London bar in 2016.
He was slapped with a two day suspension from the Commons and told to make an apology on the floor of the House and to the victim.
Grady was administratively suspended by the SNP after the report came out and will remain so until any Commons bar expires.
In practice, this is likely to be a matter of days.
Labour MSP Neil Bibby said: “The SNP’s response to Patrick Grady’s behaviour has been nothing short of utterly disgraceful.
“That they see this as worth barely a slap on wrist speaks volumes about how seriously they take these serious allegations.
“Victims must know that if they speak out against the power in politics they will see justice done - that has not happened in this case.
“There are serious questions for the SNP about whether Patrick Grady is being treated so lamely compared to others because of his closeness to the SNP establishment.
“Patrick Grady should do the only honourable thing and resign his seat immediately.”
Scottish Tory MSP Annie Wells said: “From day one, the SNP have failed to treat this matter with the seriousness it warranted – and that’s continued with this shamefully weak decision.
“Patrick Grady ought to be considering his position as an MP for his gross breach of trust, so for his party to give him a mere slap on the wrists is an insult to the brave individual who came forward to raise this complaint.
“He was hung out to dry as the SNP sought to cover up exactly what went on and has every right to be furious that Patrick Grady’s only punishment from the party is to lose the whip for two days.
“The SNP have serious questions to answer over their lack of decency, transparency and judgement.
“Their attitude will only put off any future complainers feeling confident enough about coming forward in the future.”
The complainer also blasted the “leniency” of a two day ban from the Commons, saying:
“He needs to stand down as he is not fit to be an MP."
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