Ex-leader Jordan Linden quits North Lanarkshire Council and SNP amid new misconduct allegations

The former leader of a Scottish council has quit the local authority and the SNP following fresh allegations of sexual harassment.

Jordan Linden, who led North Lanarkshire Council until last July, has now stepped down from the local authority.

The move will trigger a by-election in the ward of Bellshill.

Last summer, Linden resigned as leader of the council after claims in the Sunday Mail that he had harassed a teenager at a party in 2019.

At the time, he said he had never “approached any personal interaction with ill intent” but admitted his behaviour at the party had caused “a sense of discomfort”.

His resignation led to the downfall of the minority SNP administration, with the Labour Party later taking over control of the Scottish local authority.

The Sunday Mail later reported more claims of misconduct against the Linden, which he strongly denies.

Following the fresh allegations, Linden announced he would stand down from his position over the “extreme impact” of the allegations on his life.

He said: “I have today tendered my resignation as a councillor for Bellshill.

“It breaks my heart to give up the job I love, but I now plan to step back from politics for the foreseeable future.

“My resignation is due to the extreme impact all of this is having on my life.

“In resigning, I want to be clear, I refute the recent allegations and I will robustly defend myself.

“I thank the people of Bellshill for allowing me the privilege of my life, in representing them on the council.

“I hope that in making this decision, me and those closest to me, are now allowed to live in peace in the days and weeks ahead.”

A North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson said: “Councillor Jordan Linden has intimated to the chief executive his resignation as an elected member.

“Arrangements for a by-election in the Bellshill ward will be announced in due course.”