SNP Councillor Jordan Linden quits local authority

A former North Lanarkshire Council leader who stepped down following accusations of sexual harassment has now resigned from the local authority entirely. Jordan Linden remained as a SNP Councillor in the area after stepping down as leader last year.

The move ultimately led to the council passing back into the hands of Labour after it was won by the SNP on May's elections.

It will trigger a by-election in his patch of Bellshill.

READ MORE: Jordan Linden steps down

Linden previously apologised after a newspaper reported he had groped a teenager at a party in 2019 when he was in his early twenties.

In a statement released by the SNP Jordan Linden said:

“I have resigned as a Councillor for Bellshill.

"It breaks my heart to give up the job I love, but I now plan to step back from politics for the foreseeable future.

"My resignation is due to the extreme impact all of this is having on my life.

"In resigning, I want to be clear, I refute the recent allegations and I will robustly defend myself.

"I thank the people of Bellshill for allowing me the privilege of my life, in representing them on the Council.

"I hope that in making this decision, me and those closest to me, are now allowed to live in peace in the days and weeks ahead.”

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council told Clyde 1 News: "Councillor Jordan Linden has intimated to the chief executive his resignation as an elected member. Arrangements for a by-election in the Bellshill ward will be announced in due course."

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