An SNP councillor who publicly defended Jordan Linden has been suspended by the party, a development that could reshape local representation and the party’s handling of complaints ahead of May’s elections. The move follows weeks of scrutiny over contacts and public comments by councillor Tracy Carragher after Linden’s conviction for offences against men and boys.
Party moves quickly after public controversy
The SNP confirmed the suspension on Wednesday, saying the party’s national secretary has paused Carragher’s membership while an investigation proceeds. Under that decision she will not stand as an SNP candidate in the upcoming elections and will no longer lead the party group on North Lanarkshire Council.
Earlier the same day, First Minister John Swinney had told reporters that the party’s selected candidates would proceed to the ballot — remarks that drew immediate attention given the unfolding controversy. The suspension came only hours later.
In a short statement the SNP said it is taking the matter “seriously” and stressed the need to listen to complainants as the investigation continues.
What triggered the action
Carragher, a councillor on North Lanarkshire Council, testified in defence of Jordan Linden during his trial and has faced criticism after audio from a 2022 council meeting surfaced in which she expressed support for him. She and Linden were photographed together at a Christmas event in late 2022; court evidence also showed they remained in contact up to the day before his arrest in February 2024.
Linden, 30, was found guilty last week of harassing and abusing eight men and boys over a period of around ten years while he served as chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament and as an SNP councillor for Bellshill. Once a prominent figure within the party, he had also served as leader of North Lanarkshire Council.
- Suspension: Carragher suspended pending an internal investigation by the SNP national office.
- Electoral impact: She is no longer the party’s candidate for the upcoming elections.
- Council role: Removed as leader of the SNP group on the council while matters are examined.
- Wider review: The First Minister has commissioned an independent review into how complaints have been handled.
Political fallout and reactions
The case has put pressure on SNP leadership to explain how allegations linked to Linden were dealt with within the party’s local group.
Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, criticised the SNP’s response and said the party’s leadership had been reluctant to act sooner, calling the handling of the situation “shameful” and urging more answers.
Before the suspension, Carragher told journalists she welcomed Linden’s conviction and said her court evidence was an honest account of her knowledge and involvement. She also denied ever defending him.
Why this matters now
The suspension arrives as the SNP faces intensified scrutiny over internal complaint procedures and candidate vetting at a sensitive moment before national elections. The independent review announced by the First Minister aims to examine how allegations were handled — a process that could influence party discipline and public confidence.
For voters in North Lanarkshire and beyond, the episode raises immediate questions about local representation and how political parties balance due process, support for complainants and responsibility for members’ conduct.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
