The SNP needs to “reflect” on the contrasting ways it handles claims of sexual misconduct by senior party figures, a leading MP and critic of Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Joanna Cherry has reignited the row over fellow MP Patrick Grady’s short suspension from the SNP Westminster group after a secret recording of a meeting at which Nationalists expressed support for their embattled colleague was leaked.
Grady was suspended from the Commons for two days last week and made a public apology after a complaint of sexual harassment by a young SNP staffer was upheld.
Commons authorities ruled he made an“unwanted sexual advance” towards a staff member, then aged 19, in 2016.
Cherry threw a hand grenade into the row over Grady’s suspension on Monday by tweeting out her suggestion that the party was treating sexual harassment cases in very different ways.
She said: “I wasn’t at the SNP Westminster group meeting last week. I don’t condone the covert recording or leak. However, for some time the SNP has had significant problems in how it handles complaints.
“My party needs to reflect on the contrast between the treatment of different ‘offenders’ and to review our arrangements for the pastoral care of complainers.”
There is no love lost between the outspoken Cherry and SNP group leader Ian Blackford who sacked her from a front bench role because of her repeated criticisms of Nicola Sturgeon's independence strategy.
There have been calls for Blackford to step down as SNP Westminster leader after he was secretly recorded telling his MPs that Grady “is going to face a number of challenges over the short term and so he should have our absolute full support”.
Blackford could be heard saying: “I for one very much look forward to welcoming Patrick back into the group next week. I am sure that everybody here will agree.”
The careful handling of Grady, a former party chief whip, stands in contrast to how the SNP dealt with former MSP Mark McDonald, who resigned from the SNP Holyrood group before he was ejected over complaints of sexual harassment.
SNP MPs have been threatened with criminal action by their new chief whip over the leaked recording.
Owen Thompson MP has summoned every MP who was at the group meeting to speak with him in person on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a hunt for the leaker.
Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour business manager, has renewed his call for Grady to quit as an MP and Blackford to stand down as the SNP’s Westminster leader.
Bibby said: “From the start, the SNP have behaved in a way that is disgraceful — closing ranks and intimidating people who tried to bring this story to light.”
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