The sentencing of a former SNP council leader found guilty of multiple sex offences against young men and teenagers has been delayed until Wednesday.
Jordan Linden resigned as the leader of North Lanarkshire Council in July 2022 after reports of alleged sexual harassment emerged, leading to the collapse of the SNP administration in the area.
Linden, who left the SNP in 2024, was convicted of 10 separate offences in March following a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, including five sexual assaults.
The 30-year-old was also found guilty of three counts of engaging in a course of conduct causing fear or alarm and of charges involving sexual communication.
The offences spanned the period 2011 to 2021.
Linden, 30, had been due to be sentenced at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
However at the start of the hearing, Linden’s defence team requested the matter be postponed, due to Linden’s lawyer David Moggach KC being unavailable.
The court heard the KC, who represented Linden during his trial, was in Inverness High Court for a trial that had unexpectedly overrun, and that he had not had the opportunity to read a pre-sentencing report.
Sheriff Christopher Shead questioned why he was only being told about this now, saying the court should have been notified of it when it would have become known last week.
“From the court’s point of view, up until a few minutes ago you gave me no indication that there is likely to be an issue,” he said.
“Why was that not mentioned? It must have been obvious.”
He added: “All of that information could and should have been made available to the court on Friday.
“Why was that not done?”
Linden’s advocate Kevin Jarvis explained the need for a delay only became apparent late on Friday, and that given Monday was a bank holiday, the court had not been informed until now.
Eventually agreeing to grant the adjournment, the sheriff said: “I have (a) mind to grant the motion but only until tomorrow.
“I see no reason why on the information you have presented to the court why (Mr Moggach) could not be available tomorrow.”
Linden, who appeared in court dressed in a dark suit and yellow tie, spoke only to confirm his name.
He remains on bail.
Following Linden’s conviction on March 26, First Minister John Swinney ordered an independent review of the SNP’s processes in the wake of concerns about the handling of complaints against Linden.
Mr Swinney’s party welcomed the verdict against Linden and commended “the bravery of the individuals who came forward and shared their experiences with the police”.
The SNP’s political opponents have criticised the way the party handled the allegations of Linden’s misconduct, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accusing them of “double standards”.
