Three people affected by the actions of former SNP member Jordan Linden are demanding a complete investigation into the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP), which had beforehand dismissed their claims over ten years in the past. They’re urging the group to be held accountable for its dealing with of previous allegations.
One of many survivors in contrast the surroundings throughout the SYP to the grim situation depicted in The Starvation Video games, the place younger individuals are pitted in opposition to each other in life-threatening circumstances. This analogy underscores the perceived severity and negligence throughout the youth group.
In an unique interview, these brave people expressed their dedication to handle their considerations formally. They plan to submit an in depth account to the Workplace of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), highlighting the pressing want for scrutiny.
One of many victims, known as Stephen, emphasised the need of involving OSCR as a result of SYP’s standing as a charitable entity. He acknowledged, “OSCR is probably the most acceptable physique to conduct this inquiry. It’s essential they study the practices throughout the group at once.”
The group argues that the SYP, which is meant to empower younger individuals and encourage them to have interaction with youth-related points in Scotland, is at present failing in its mission. They level out the potential dangers posed to younger members as a result of broad age vary throughout the parliament.
One sufferer recounted being subjected to inappropriate habits by Linden, together with receiving sexual photographs and messages when he was solely 15. He described an environment of underage consuming, sexual encounters, and unruly events at SYP gatherings, which occurred a number of occasions a 12 months and have been purported to be overseen by accountable adults.
Jordan Linden, former SNP North Lanarkshire Council chief, is now a convicted intercourse offender
The Scottish Youth Parliament was based in 1999 and admits members aged 14-25
The 28-year-old man, who we’re calling James, mentioned: ‘For somebody like Jordan, the sittings have been like a searching floor, as there have been lots of younger boys. There was positively under-age consuming, positively intercourse, positively events that shouldn’t have been occurring.’
James mentioned he was involved that the SYP nonetheless presents a threat to susceptible younger individuals because it nonetheless permits youngsters as younger as 14 to socialize and work together with adults as much as the age of 25.
He mentioned: ‘I don’t know what 14-year-olds and 25-year-olds have in frequent. The age hole is so huge. It’s not that there shouldn’t be illustration, however we definitely all mustn’t have been in the identical lodges.’
Fellow sufferer Stephen was sexually assaulted by Linden in September 2015 whereas he was on a visit to Edinburgh to talk to UN youth representatives.
He was 17 on the time whereas Linden was 19. The pair had been booked in to a double lodge room by blundering SYP chiefs.
Stephen, 28, mentioned he woke to seek out Linden stroking his leg and respiration closely behind him, leaving him frozen in worry.
Regardless of being heterosexual, he had been bombarded with sexual photographs and messages from Linden for months earlier than the assault. He mentioned: ‘The SYP is just like the Starvation Video games – placing children right into a strain cooker surroundings after which being shocked when every part blows up. It’s completely not match for goal, and I feel, deep down, they know that as nicely.
‘The entire place must be gone. There must be an inquiry into how this was capable of occur, and why we weren’t believed.’
Stephen and several other of his friends raised considerations about Linden with the SYP’s chief govt, Ben McKendrick, in 2016 whereas Linden was chairman of the organisation.
Ben McKendrick was the Chief Govt of the Scottish Youth Parliament when Linden dedicated his crimes
Mr McKendrick left the SYP in 2023 and is now a clerk within the Scottish Parliament.
As a substitute of being taken critically, the lads discovered themselves being investigated by a non-public legislation agency, introduced in by Mr McKendrick, for allegedly sharing photographs of Linden amongst themselves after they have been attempting to collate proof.
Requested in courtroom if he would once more order a non-public probe somewhat than inform police or social providers, Mr McKendrick mentioned he would.
He mentioned the investigation had solely made one suggestion about Linden, that he was ‘now and again, placing himself a state of affairs the place he was open to criticism, being overly acquainted, maybe’ and mentioned ‘nothing would require reporting to authorities underneath the Little one Safety Coverage.’
Mr McKendrick additionally informed jurors there had been ‘lots of hugging and kissing happening among the many membership’ whereas he was in cost.
Stephen mentioned: ‘There must be some type of inquiry – whether or not it may be a part of an current one, or one thing else that may look in depth at what has gone incorrect right here – as a result of there are such a lot of unanswered questions on why this was capable of occur. Those that enabled Jordan, like Ben McKendrick, should be held accountable and I don’t see how that may occur underneath the prevailing mechanisms.’
A 3rd man, who we’re calling Mike, joined the SYP concurrently Linden in 2011. He mentioned that inside a month he was being tickled and touched by Linden in entrance of native authority youth employees, who dismissed the behaviour as ‘simply Jordan’.
The 30-year-old mentioned he had informed each Linden and the youth employees he was uncomfortable with the behaviour but it surely didn’t cease. It progressed to Linden sexually assaulting him and sending him photographs of his genitals.
Mike mentioned: ‘When this was first reported approach again in 2011 not simply by me however others, it may have been stopped there. It may have prevented him getting ready of energy the place he used that affect to harass and abuse younger males.
‘The factor that basically considerations me is that it’s the identical individuals – the youth employees in native authorities, the workers on the Scottish Youth Parliament – who’re nonetheless accountable for baby safety. How can they be trusted?’
Scottish Conservative chief Russell Findlay mentioned: ‘Wherever this occurs, there should be an unbiased and unflinching investigation into the tradition and failings of the youth parliament in relation to baby safety. This should additionally ask the mandatory questions concerning the SNP’s function in apparently protecting up these crimes.’
Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar mentioned it was clear that the SYP ’failed in its responsibility to safeguard these collaborating’. The SYP mentioned that an unbiased assessment of its safeguarding preparations, commissioned within the wake of the allegations, discovered that its baby safety insurance policies ‘totally complied with nationwide tips and laws’.
