SCOTLAND’S Constitution Secretary has accused opposition parties of trying to end SNP MP Patrick Grady’s career after the conclusion of a sexual harassment case.
Glasgow North MP Grady was found to have behaved inappropriately towards a member of staff at a party function in 2016 and last week suspended from the Commons for two days. The SNP also withdrew the whip from him until the suspension concluded.
SNP Westminster chief Blackford was recorded last week at a party meeting telling MPs he is “very much looking forward to welcoming Patrick back into the group next week”, and encouraging fellow MPs to offer “as much support as possible”.
The audio, also featuring MP Amy Callaghan, was leaked to the Daily Mail newspaper.
On Sunday morning, Scottish Government minister Angus Robertson backed Blackford over his handling of the case.
Later, he doubled down on the defence of his party colleague during an interview with STV.
READ MORE: SNP chief to grill MPs after Ian Blackford clip about Patrick Grady leaked
“The first thing when discussing issues of inappropriate behaviour by anybody in any work environment is to express sympathy and support for the person that has been subject to that,” the minister told the broadcaster.
“My understanding is that pastoral support has been offered and I would hope that anybody in that circumstance takes that.
“But secondly, the issue at hand is one that has been investigated by a neutral watchdog and has come to the conclusion that the person in question, the MP in question, should be suspended for two days.
“What other political parties are trying to do is escalate this into a career-ending situation.”
Robertson added that Grady’s two-day punishment should not mean his career ends.
“It’s not for a political party to stand as judge and jury in a situation like this. There was an independent watchdog, it assessed the situation,” he said.
“If you’re going to have neutral, independent watchdogs who are responsible for looking at situations like this, when they recommend that somebody apologises, they should, he did.
“When they recognise and suggest that somebody has been involved in something inappropriate and that warrants a two-day suspension, that’s a two-day suspension, not the immolation of their career, it is not the same thing.”
READ MORE: SNP MP Joanna Cherry speaks out amid leaked Ian Blackford recording row
Robertson’s intervention came as Grady’s victim – who was a teenager at the time of the 2016 incident – said his life had been made a “living hell”.
In an interview with the Daily Record, the victim said just one of 45 SNP MPs had contacted him after last week’s ruling.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel