SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has been urged to break his silence about the role he played in sexual harassment allegations.
Over a year ago, John Lamont MP wrote to Blackford seeking answers on serious complaints against SNP MPs and what actions the SNP Westminster leader would take to prevent sexual misconduct in the future.
Ian Blackford never replied and is now avoiding questions about his role in the Patrick Grady scandal.
John Lamont MP has today resent his letter to Blackford, with updated questions in light of the latest revelations in newspapers today.
He has urged the SNP Westminster leader to resign because his “unforgivable” actions have “betrayed” a victim.
Reports today quote Grady’s victim as saying that “Ian Blackford has broken his promise to take a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment. No one can believe a word he says any more.”
The victim added: “My fear is the way he has handled this will discourage victims from coming forward in future. This has been a betrayal.”
It has also been reported today that the SNP have launched internal investigations to find the source of a leaked recording where Ian Blackford urged colleagues to back Patrick Grady.
Scottish Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, John Lamont, said: “Ian Blackford must break his silence and explain why he has taken no action to prevent sexual harassment in the SNP Westminster Group.
“Instead of acting as we requested more than a year ago, he has treated a disgraced MP with more sympathy than the victim who suffered harassment.
“But Ian Blackford has not only failed this victim, his disgusting actions have made it less likely that any future victims come forward.
“This horrible situation has been made even more ugly by the fact the SNP Westminster group is more focused on preventing leaks than preventing sexual harassment. Party discipline is more important to them than supporting a victim.
“The cover-up-and-close-ranks culture at the heart of the SNP Westminster group must end. That will only happen if Ian Blackford steps aside. He has betrayed a victim and that is unforgivable."
Notes
The letters John Lamont MP sent Ian Blackford in March 2021 and today are attached.
The original letter was sent on 17 March 2021: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19167070.scots-tories-urge-blackford-explain-snp-not-act-sexual-harassment-complaint-mp/