A former SNP staffer has urged Humza Yousaf to block an MP who sexually harassed him as a teenager from standing again as a candidate. In a heartfelt letter to the First Minister, the complainer wrote of losing his “career, livelihood and dreams” and said he had “serious concerns” about Patrick Grady.
He also called on Yousaf to ensure the party reinvestigate a previous claim against another SNP MP, Patricia Gibson. Grady, the MP for Glasgow North, was suspended from the Commons for two days after being found guilty by a House of Commons watchdog of “unwanted physical touching” with “sexual intent”.
The victim, who worked for the SNP at Westminster, was 19 at the time of the incident, which took place in a London bar. Despite the harassment, Grady could still be reselected as a party candidate for the next general election.
Gibson was accused by the same staffer of harassing him in a Commons bar. The complaint was originally upheld but her appeal was successful and she was cleared.
In an email to Yousaf, the complainer revealed the personal toll of both cases. He wrote: “As a victim of sexual harassment, the journey towards healing has been arduous, the path to healing from such a traumatic experience has been an uphill battle, filled with countless obstacles.
“Although the SNP haven’t taken any steps to check on my welfare, with the unwavering support of the NHS, friends, family, and the immense dedication of my partner, I have finally managed to wean myself off antidepressants, regaining a semblance of normalcy in my life.” He added: “But while I am making progress and continue to rebuild my life, the injustice I face remains unaddressed.”
He told Yousaf he is writing to reopen the investigation into Gibson MP and calls for assurances that Grady is not candidate at the next election. He added: “Despite my best efforts to raise this privately, I have been met with silence from SNP HQ while a promised meeting with your predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, unfortunately never came to fruition.
“No survivor of sexual harassment should ever feel silenced or be denied the justice they deserve. First Minister, I appeal to your strong commitments to justice and equality to ensure that my voice is heard, and that the appropriate actions are finally taken.”
In the email, he called for assurance that Grady’s role within the party “will be seriously reconsidered, and that the vetting process will be robust enough to prevent his reselection” as an SNP candidate. He added: “Grady’s admission of sexually harassing me during my teenage years raises serious concerns about his character and suitability for public office.
“Yet he continues to sit on the SNP benches, which calls into question the party’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and duty of care. I remain hopeful that my plea will be met with the seriousness it deserves, and that the SNP, under its new leadership and administration, are finally able to act effectively on complaints of sexual harassment, and that victims’ voices are finally heard.”
The email concluded: “The SNP now stands at a crossroad, where it has the chance to showcase to the nation an unwavering commitment to justice and accountability even during challenging times. As it stands, I have lost my career, livelihood, and dreams because of making a complaint.”
The man had initially complained to the SNP about Grady and Gibson but dissatisfaction with the process led to him pulling out and going through the Westminster system. The complainer, who no longer works for the SNP, later said the party had treated him like “asbestos”.
In June last year, Grady made an apology in the House of Commons, saying: “I am profoundly sorry for my behaviour and I deeply regret my actions and the consequences.” He added: “I give you and this House my firm assurance that I have learned significant lessons through this process. Such behaviour on my part will never happen again.”
An SNP spokesperson said last night: “The SNP will respond to this private correspondence in due course. It is important to make clear that anyone who wants to stand for election for the SNP must go through a vetting process and ultimately selection by local members.”
Last night there were calls from Labour for the SNP to block Grady from standing at the next election. Labour MSP Martin Whitfield said: “It beggars belief that the SNP seems willing to turn a blind eye to Patrick Grady’s record of sexual harassment and let him stand again.
“Victims of sexual harassment shouldn’t have to fight at every turn for their voices to be listened to. Humza Yousaf must take a stand against the rotten culture of cover-up and sleaze in the SNP by ensuring all complaints are properly investigated and preventing Grady from standing.”
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