Ian Blackford has broken his silence to insist he did nothing wrong when handling complaints made against an SNP MP.
As first revealed by the Record, the Nationalist leader at Westminster was criticised for his role when allegations were made against Patrick Grady by a young party staffer.
An independent Commons inquiry recently concluded that Grady had made unwanted sexual advances to the man on a night out in October 2016.
But in his first media interview since the report was published, Blackford denied he had botched the SNP's handling of the original complaint.
READ MORE: SNP staffer 'heartbroken' after SNP MP cleared of misconduct charge
He told STV News: "I am not suggesting that I did anything wrong in that process.
"I am the leader of the SNP and I have responsibility to staff. Of Course I don’t take any part in the disciplinary process, in the independent process that takes place.
"But I have a duty to make sure that any complainer, in this case, in all cases, is fully supported.
"I believe that I’ve done that, but I will of course as SNP Westminster leader see what learnings have to come out of this."
Blackford was slammed by his political opponents after a leaked recording emerged last week in which he could be heard urging his SNP colleagues to support the MP for Glasgow North.
Blackford was also asked why he does not kick Grady out of the party.
He responded: "Well, because, at the end of the day, discipline within the SNP happens through a number of ways.
"It happens through actions taken by the SNP group, it can be actions taken by the SNP headquarters.
"And the decision that was taken on a proportionate basis given a two-day suspension by Parliament that Patrick Grady would be suspended for a week.
"Now, it’s up for Patrick Grady to reflect on his behaviour and where he goes from that."
Blackford insisted there "has to be due process" after Grady was handed just a two-day suspension.
"The simple fact of the matter is that under the process, Patrick Grady was found guilty of inappropriate behaviour and he was suspended from Parliament for two days," he said.
Asked whether it is permissible for a sex-pest to be a member of Parliament, he said: "Patrick Grady was found guilty and has led to a suspension of him from Parliament for two days."
It comes as Nicola Sturgeon earlier revealed she had written to the original complainer against Grady to apologise on behalf of her party.
The First Minister said comments made in a leaked recording of SNP MPs backing Grady were "unacceptable".
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