Tracy Carragher is an SNP candidate in May 7 despite defending a disgraced ex-council leader in court.
A senior SNP figure has urged one of his party’s Holyrood election candidates to “reflect” on their position after they gave evidence for the defence in the trial against Jordan Linden.
Stephen Flynn, Nationalist leader at Westminster, spoke out today following the conviction of ex-council leader Linden yesterday of five sexual assaults against young men.
Two sitting SNP councillors gave evidence for the defence during the seven-day trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court. One of the duo, Tracy Carragher, is a list candidate for the Central region at the election on May 7.
Linden, 30, was previously viewed as a high-flyer in the party and served as leader of North Lanarkshire Council from 2022-2024.
Speaking at a campaign event in Glasgow today, Flynn was asked if it was appropriate for Carragher to remain an SNP candidate.
“I think it’s important for that individual to reflect on the choice they have made,” he told reporters.
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It comes as the SNP leadership is under increasing pressure today to “come clean” over its handling of repeated complaints made about Linden’s behaviour.
The former council leader was convicted on Thursday of 10 separate offences after a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, including five sexual assaults.
His victims were five young men and boys aged 15 to 22.
During the trial, a councillor who made complaints about Linden said: “Everywhere I went for help in the SNP I was ignored or it was downplayed.”
The man said he contacted the police in 2023 because he “did not feel confident” the reports he had made to the SNP would be dealt with appropriately.
Flynn told reporters today: “I’ve seen the comments of one of the victims in particular in relation to their experience and I’m understandably worried by that.
“I think everyone would be – because that should not be their experience.
“There’s going to be some significant learning for the SNP.”
Flynn added the party would not make a full response to the matter until after Linden’s sentencing heading on May 5.
He continued: “We’ve previously said that we were going to be reviewing things. I hope that that’s happened.
“I would like to think these things were under constant review because we need to make sure that people are safeguarded and that people have the support that they need.”
The Record has asked Carragher for comment.
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