An SNP standards watchdog has not met since being formed last year - despite concerns about the party’s complaints system. The new “conduct” committee is still to have its first meeting even though the SNP has more than 100,000 members.
Sex pest MP Patrick Grady ’s victim, who withdrew a complaint to the SNP due to having no faith in the system, said: “This would be comical if it wasn’t so serious.”
He added: “The fact the SNP still claim to take sexual harassment seriously while the committee that is responsible for taking action and employing a zero-tolerance approach has not met is very dispiriting.”
Under the SNP constitution, the party’s National Secretary considers alleged breaches of their code of conduct. The official has power to act, but complaints can ultimately be heard by the “member conduct committee”, which was elected at the SNP’s annual conference last year.
If an allegation is upheld, the body can apply sanctions such as suspension, expulsion or requiring an apology. The SNP confirmed the committee had not met since its new members were voted in.
A source said there are now a “wider range of mechanisms” available, other than through the committee, to enable sanctions to be applied. The insider added that so-called “culture war” issues dying down inside the SNP is another factor for the lack of activity.
However, the victim in the Grady case believes it shows the SNP’s internal processes are not fit for purpose. Grady apologised in the House of Commons for making unwanted sexual advances to the man in a London pub.
The victim went through the Westminster process after withdrawing a complaint to the SNP.
He said: “What is the point of a Member Conduct Committee that does not convene, other than a good press release for the day it was formed? At a time where the spotlight is on the SNP and its handling of sexual harassment, now more than ever the Committee is needed.
“When the Committee does not meet, and the leadership fails to lead, it allows for predators to continue in their roles, unaffected by their actions, while the victims pay the price. Ultimately, the responsibility to fix that lies with Nicola Sturgeon.”
Senior SNP figures have also criticised the party’s complaints system in recent months, alleging a lack of consistency and transparency.
Labour MSP Neil Bibby said: “Yet again, we are faced with the SNP taking absolutely no action to tackle inappropriate behaviour among its ranks. Despite warm words, the facts speak for themselves - the SNP is addicted to cover up and sweeping issues under the carpet.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain said: “A member conduct committee is pretty useless if its members never meet. Inappropriate conduct in any political party should be handled properly and professionally. But the SNP are casting a big, bleak question mark on their ability to do that.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “The National Secretary has taken a proactive approach of resolving disputes through agreed sanctions, mediation and compromise, meaning the Member Conduct Committee has not been required to meet yet.”
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