EX SNP COUNCIL LEADER FACING JAIL AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY OF 10 COUNTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT
A former senior figure within the SNP is set to face imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting five young males aged between 15 and 22.Jordan Linden, aged 30, who previously led North Lanarkshire Council and chaired the Scottish Youth Parliament, was also convicted of causing fear and alarm, as well as sending inappropriate sexual communications to seven teenagers aged 14, including images of himself in a bubble bath and explicit photos of his genitalia.
These alleged offences took place over a decade, from 2011 until 2021, throughout Linden's involvement with North Lanarkshire, the youth parliament, and the SNP youth wing, Young Scots for Independence.
During the verdict reading, Linden appeared visibly distressed, with evidence suggesting he was fighting back tears.
Four of the five sexual assault charges received unanimous verdicts.
He was acquitted of a sixth sexual assault charge and also cleared of five other allegations involving stalking and sexual misconduct, all by unanimous votes.
Sheriff Christopher Shead postponed sentencing until May 5, requesting reports and maintaining Linden’s bail.
The sheriff commented, “The court will have to consider the full range of disposals.” Linden’s lawyer, David Moggach KC, reserved his right to speak on mitigation.
Outside court, Linden declined to comment, telling reporters, “I have no comment to make at this time.” The defendant, from Bellshill, consistently denied all accusations, asserting they were either unfounded or consensual.
He emphasised: “If they tell me no, it means no.” He described feeling devastated and betrayed by the allegations.
The seven-day trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court concluded with a jury deliberating for less than four hours.
The court heard that Linden had engaged in touching victims inappropriately and had sent explicit or semi-naked selfies to some.
Witnesses testified that Linden had entered beds or bunks with young individuals and attempted to manipulate them physically.
One former Youth Parliament member, at 15, detailed Linden’s persistent touching and said his complaints were dismissed as “just Jordan” by staff.
This same witness revealed receiving late-night calls from Linden, involving panting sounds, explicit photographs, and inappropriate gestures, which contributed to his feeling of vulnerability and discomfort.
He resigned from the Youth Parliament because of these experiences.
Another young participant, aged 14 during his tenure, reported that Linden cornered him in a hotel in Stornoway, attempting inappropriate physical contact and sending flirtatious messages, including suggestive selfies.
A man, now 29, recounted a disturbing incident in 2018, when Linden, intoxicated, performed a sex act on him at Linden’s flat after they shared drinks.
The experience left him feeling disgusted.
Additional allegations involved Linden’s conduct at events such as a 2019 Gay Pride celebration in Dundee, where he allegedly followed and attempted to engage a young man inappropriately while intoxicated.
Mid-2023, suspicion increased after a fellow North Lanarkshire councillor reported concerns to police, questioning whether the organisation properly handled earlier complaints against Linden from 2022 onward.
One witness recounted a 2016 incident in Barcelona where Linden allegedly climbed into his bunk, kissed his neck, and behaved overly familiar, while attending a SNP youth event.
Other testimonies suggested Linden often made inappropriate comments about colleagues’ clothing, while several witnesses hesitated to report him fearing his influence within the SNP and Youth Parliament.
Linden joined the Scottish Youth Parliament at 15 in 2011, aiming to forge friendships and promote LGBTQ+ issues.
He became chairman in 2015 but stepped down in 2016 amid circulation of explicit images of him, which he denies circulating.
Calling himself a ‘hugger,’ Linden said he often greeted people with kisses and described himself as having sent non-explicit bath photos, which he considered “generic.” He denied any criminal intent, claiming he was “young, naive and silly.” He was elected as a councillor in Bellshill in 2017 and became leader of North Lanarkshire Council in 2022, though he resigned shortly after allegations surfaced.
As of February 2024, he was working as a karaoke host and awaiting sentencing.
