The Scottish National Party has suspended Tracy Carragher, leader of the SNP group on North Lanarkshire Council, and removed her as a candidate for next month's election following criticism of her handling of complaints about former council leader Jordan Linden.
Linden was convicted last week of sexually assaulting young men, prompting scrutiny of how allegations against him were managed within the council's SNP group.
Carragher had been set to stand as a regional list candidate in Central Scotland and Lothians West but will no longer appear on the ballot. She has also been removed from her position as council group leader.
In a statement, Carragher said she would cooperate with an SNP investigation, adding: "It is troubling that, since the verdict, much of the focus has shifted away from the individual convicted of these serious offences. Responsibility for these crimes rests solely with the person who committed them."
An SNP spokesperson confirmed the suspension, stating: "We take this issue seriously and the voices of complainants must always be heard."
First Minister John Swinney, who earlier this week expressed confidence in the party's candidates, has announced an independent review of the SNP's complaints process. Speaking on Wednesday, Swinney said: "It's really important that in all of these situations, we listen to the voices of those who complain and that we address those issues."
Former SNP councillor Cameron McManus, who complained about Linden's behavior, alleged that Carragher took no action when he confided in her. McManus stated she was "unfit for office."
North Lanarkshire Council will also vote on whether to suspend activity with the Scottish Youth Parliament, where Linden previously served as chairman.
Carragher becomes the latest in a series of candidates withdrawn ahead of Wednesday's nomination deadline. Labour's Glasgow Southside hopeful Mohammed Ameen was dropped after being charged with fraud, while Fife councillor Stefan Hoggan stepped down as the SNP's candidate in North East Fife after being accused of sex offences.
Green candidate Guy Ingerson was suspended this week due to a complaint from a party rival, and Reform UK lost several Holyrood hopefuls shortly after their unveiling.
In 2022, when Carragher was deputy leader of North Lanarkshire Council, reports emerged that Linden had made unwanted advances toward a teenager three years earlier. A recording of an emergency SNP group meeting shortly afterward captured Carragher suggesting those who went to newspapers with concerns had done so for "personal gain."
Former councillor Greg Lennon, now an independent, wrote to Swinney in September alleging that councillors who raised concerns about Linden faced "prolonged suspension, exclusion, bullying and harassment." The Sunday Times reported that former SNP councillors had urged Swinney to review the party's complaints process six months ago but received no reply.
An SNP spokesperson said the party had "comprehensively reviewed" its complaints procedures since 2016 and highlighted Swinney's independent review order following Linden's conviction. "This will ensure people are protected and our complaints procedures are as robust as they can be," they stated.