SNP MP Patrick Grady steps down as chief whip amid sexual harassment allegations
SNP confirms investigation is under way following formal complaint
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SNP MP Patrick Grady has stepped down from his role as the party’s chief whip at Westminster following sexual harassment allegations.
Patrick Grady was named on Tuesday as the MP at the centre of the claims, with his party confirming an investigation is now under way.
Letters obtained by The Herald detailed concerns about the MP’s behaviour at the SNP’s Christmas party at London’s Phoenix Artist Club in December 2016.
An SNP spokesman said Mr Grady – the MP for Glasgow North – had “stood aside” from his role as chief whip at Westminster after the party received a formal complaint about him.
“That now allows due process to take place and we will not be commenting further while an investigation is under way,” the spokesperson said.
The complaint is understood to relate to allegations made by an SNP staffer in a report in Scotland’s Daily Record on Monday. An SNP employee accused two of the party’s MPs – one male and one female – of sexually harassing him in separate incidents at pubs in London.
It comes as difficulties for Nicola Sturgeon’s party at Holyrood continue. A vote of no confidence in Scotland’s deputy first ministerJohn Swinney has been scheduled by the Scottish Conservatives for Wednesday.
It follows Mr Swinney’s admission that records of meetings between Nicola Sturgeon, permanent secretary Leslie Evans and the Scottish government’s legal counsel about the unlawful Alex Salmond investigation cannot be found.
The Scottish Tories said it was “inconceivable these minutes don’t exist”, while Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said Mr Swinney’s failure to provide a record was “utterly despicable and repugnant”.
Although the SNP does not have a majority in the Scottish parliament, Mr Swinney is expected to survive the vote due to backing from the pro-independence Scottish Greens.
“This vote of no confidence is a pathetic political game just weeks ahead of an election,” said Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie.
A spokesman for the deputy first minister said the motion was more about “grubby Tory politicking”, adding: “They were always going to push this to a vote regardless of what information the committee received”.