A SENIOR SNP councillor has resigned after an allegation of sexual harassment.
Jordan Linden, who took over as North Lanarkshire Council leader just two months ago, was accused of groping a teenager in Dundee after a Pride parade in 2019.
The Sunday Mail reported that Linden decided not to run as an SNP candidate in that year’s General Election just days after the Pride event took place.
Linden will address his party colleagues later on Wednesday, but also wrote to them making clear of his intention to step down.
"I want to make colleagues aware that I am resigning from my position as leader of North Lanarkshire Council today,” he wrote in an email.
"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.”
Linden said media coverage has put him under “immense strain”, having a “profound” effect on him and his partner.
“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,” he wrote.
"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.”
Linden, 27, said it had been the “privilege of my life” to serve as the first SNP council leader in North Lanarkshire.
He plans to continue serving as a councillor for Belshill, having held the role since being elected in 2017.
