Former SNP council leader Jordan Linden has been charged with multiple sexual offences in another blow for the party.
Mr Linden stepped down from his role two years ago, just weeks after the nationalists, now led by Chief Minister Humza Yousaf, took control of North Lanarkshire Council.
His decision came after he was accused of sexual misconduct. Police have confirmed he was arrested and released on Wednesday.
A Police Scotland spokesman told the Scottish Daily Express: “A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a number of non-recent sexual offences committed at various locations in Scotland. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
Mr Linden was put forward as a general election candidate in 2019 but subsequently pulled out, citing concerns for his “own health & well-being”.
His exit from his seat resulted in a by-election in which the SNP was beaten by Scottish Labour, despite Mr Yousaf campaigning on behalf of replacement candidate Joe Budd.
After the election. the nationalist party lost their majority on the council which they had led for the first time in history.
An SNP spokesperson said: “While we cannot comment on live proceedings, if any SNP members are impacted by this then we want to make clear that we are here to support them as best we can.”
Mr Yousaf has had a difficult time since replacing Nicola Sturgeon a year ago, with ongoing questions about its finances and a dip in the polls.
He was initially endorsed by Mr Yousaf, who described him as somebody who was “not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get stuff done.”
A councillor in Bellshill, Mr Linden was regarded as a rising star within the SNP, but was held the position of council leader for a few weeks in 2022 before he quit, which in turn triggered the collapse of North Lanarkshire’s SNP administration, permitting Labour to regain control.
The SNP group saw mass resignations, with seven former councillors walking and launching a party called Progressive Change for North Lanarkshire” after complaints of mistreatment.
Mr Linden, the cousin of David Linden, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, stood down as a councillor in March 2023.
