Former Scottish Youth Parliament Leader Accused of Inappropriate Conduct with Teen
A court has heard disturbing allegations that Jordan Linden, the former chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), engaged in flirtatious and inappropriate behaviour with one of its youngest members, who was just 14 years old at the time. The trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court is examining 21 charges against Linden spanning an 11-year period from 2011 to 2022, involving 12 different people.
Allegations of Flirtatious Online Conversations
One of the alleged victims, now 25 years old, testified that he joined the SYP in 2015 at age 14 and was soon befriended online by Linden, who was then 20. The witness described Linden as initially "quite jovial" but claimed their conversations quickly turned "increasingly flirtatious" despite the significant age gap. He alleged that Linden would inquire about his dating life and send "semi-regular" images of himself via Snapchat.
The man further claimed that Linden engaged in "suggestive" chats with him on Facetime, including one occasion where Linden allegedly told the teenager he was "too young to have an orgasm." He testified about "repeated and obsessive questions about whether I had a boyfriend" that made him feel deeply uncomfortable.
Physical Intimidation at SYP Event
The witness provided harrowing details of an incident at an SYP event where he alleged Linden cornered him in his hotel room. He described being a "skinny" 14-year-old facing a "heavy-set and stocky" 20-year-old Linden who stood over him with arms wide open, tickling or prodding him while saying "What are you going to do about it." The teenager testified he was "really recoiling" in discomfort during this intimidating encounter.
Concerns About Institutional Response
The trial also heard concerning testimony about how the SYP handled initial complaints about Linden's behaviour. The witness claimed that after "other people who had more intense experiences" with Linden raised concerns, an SYP board member named Thomas Mair praised Linden when he stepped down as chairman. This created resentment among alleged victims who felt their experiences were being dismissed.
"There was a feeling that all of us had just made this up and he had not acted inappropriately towards any of us," the witness testified. "I resented the suggestion that he had to step down unfairly."
Additional Witness Testimony
Another witness claimed to have received an image of Linden with a "bulge" in his boxer shorts. This witness expressed concern about a potential "governmental cover-up" after the meeting where Linden was "thanked profusely" for his service by Mr. Mair, noting that the alleged behaviours had not been properly addressed.
"We'd been told that everything had been dealt with but we couldn't see it," the witness said. "It was just a matter of 'the adults have got it in hand.'"
Recent Developments in the Trial
Sheriff Christopher Shead has already acquitted Linden of three charges, with the Crown withdrawing additional charges of breach of the peace, stalking, and sexual communication against one man after the witness admitted he had not received any messages he was unhappy to receive. Linden, who went on to become the SNP leader in North Lanarkshire Council after his SYP tenure, denies all 21 charges against him. The trial continues with further evidence expected in the coming days.
