A charity watchdog has launched an investigation into the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) after three young men abused by SNP sex predator Jordan Linden raised child safety concerns. The victims first came into contact with Linden through their involvement with the SYP, which is a registered charity.
The Scottish Mail on Sunday revealed last month that the victims had criticised the organisation’s failure to address his offending after complaints were raised with then chief executive Ben McKendrick a decade ago. In a letter to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), they demanded a “full, root-and-branch review” of what they described as “serious child safeguarding failures”.
On Tuesday, the OSCR stated: “Following an assessment of concerns received about the SYP, we have opened an inquiry into the charity. We are unable to provide further comment at this time.”
Linden, 30, former leader of North Lanarkshire Council, was jailed for 18 months last week for ten offences, including five sexual assaults, against young men and boys, committed between 2011 and 2021. The men, who bravely gave evidence in court to convict Linden, outlined how during their time with the SYP he was able to sexually assault them and send inappropriate images he had taken of himself.
They said last month that Linden’s “sustained abuse” while SYP chairman was a “fundamental failure” of governance and safeguarding. They also spoke emotionally about how they, rather than their abuser, were subjected to a “sham investigation” by the SYP when they complained about him. Despite Linden’s conviction, they said the SYP had failed to respond accordingly, reach out in any “meaningful” way to victims, or make any “visible change” to its operations.
The men’s complaint was backed by North Lanarkshire Council Labour group leader Jim Logue, who recently brought forward a successful motion to suspend the authority’s involvement with the SYP. In their letter to the OSCR, the victims wrote: “There appears to be no acknowledgment from the [SYP], or from those who have led it, that the situation could and should have been handled better. We find this troubling and believe it speaks to a wider culture within the SYP that is resistant to scrutiny and accountability.”
The men argue that the SYP, which is supposed to nurture young people, is still a risk to youngsters given the wide age range of its membership, and argue that it should be lowered to a maximum age of 18. They said: “Members can remain involved in the SYP until the age of 27, interacting with children as young as 14. We do not believe this is appropriate.”
One victim who received sexual images and messages from Linden when he was just 15 has recounted his experiences there, describing underage drinking, sex, and wild parties at gatherings of the SYP’s 130-odd members. The men’s complaint stated: “Beyond Linden’s conduct, we witnessed behaviour that, as adults, we now recognise as deeply inappropriate.” They added: “The organisation is effectively self-policing, which we would suggest raises direct questions under charity law.”
The SYP, which has been asked for comment, told the BBC it would fully comply with any investigation.
