A man who was sexually abused by SNP predator Jordan Linden is set to sue the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) over claims they failed to protect him and other young men.
The 30-year-old, identified as David to protect his identity, has instructed lawyers to investigate whether the organisation can be held liable for the abuse he suffered. Former North Lanarkshire Council leader Linden, 30, was convicted last month of abusing eight young men and boys between 2011 and 2021. He is due to be sentenced next month.
Four of his victims were members of the SYP, an organisation Linden chaired until he resigned in 2016 when allegations of his misconduct emerged. He was elected as an SNP councillor the following year and became council leader in 2022, but quit within weeks after details of another sex attack were made public.
Speaking exclusively to the Scottish Mail on Sunday, David said he was reluctantly taking legal action against the SYP due to a 'fundamental lack of responsibility from an organisation that is supposed to protect young people'. He stressed the move was not just about compensation, stating: 'It is about the next 14-year-old elected to the SYP who might find themselves in a bedroom with a 24-year-old, or the next person whose complaints fall on deaf ears.'
David added: 'These issues with Jordan were raised time and again from Ayrshire to Aberdeenshire. In my own case, even though I said I was uncomfortable, those in charge dismissed the behaviour. That’s the issue at the core of this. I feel they have to come under similar scrutiny as Linden himself, which so far they have completely avoided.'
David, 30, was bombarded with phone calls from Linden, often in the middle of the night, and said the predator would be heard 'panting' down the phone. He was sent lurid pictures of Linden's exposed genitals, and said: 'It was disgusting. I wasn’t gay, I had a girlfriend, I didn’t ask for any of it. He just targeted me. When I had to meet him for SYP work, he was constantly pawing at me, touching me, cuddling me, kissing me. This was in front of people who were there to make sure we were safe but they ignored his behaviour and said it was “just Jordan”.'
Lawyers at Thompsons solicitors will now investigate whether the SYP can be sued directly, or whether action may need to be taken against the charity's insurers or the Scottish Parliament as the SYP's overall funders. Stephanie Young, partner at the firm, said: 'Solicitors in our Life Impact team are looking very carefully at this case and we will do all we can to make sure Linden’s victims are properly compensated for the abuse they suffered at his hands.'
A spokesperson for the Board of the Youth Parliament said: 'The SYP recognises the seriousness of this case and the concern it has caused. Throughout this period, the SYP referred concerns to the appropriate authorities and co-operated fully with external investigations.'
