SNP restores whip to MP Patrick Grady following suspension over sexual misconduct

Patrick Grady was expelled from the Scottish National Party (SNP) for six months in response to a sexually inappropriate approach to a staff worker.

A panel determined that Grady made a sexual approach on a young employee at a social gathering in London's Folgate Street in October 2016 and ordered the removal of his membership.

The Glasgow North MP was granted a two-day suspension from the Commons in June after it was determined, following an inquiry, that he had engaged in "unwanted physical contact," which included rubbing a colleague's neck, hair, and back who was 17 years his younger.


He expressed deep regret to his fellow lawmakers for his actions. Grady will rejoin the SNP's unit in the Commons once more, this time under the leadership of Stephen Flynn, who took over from Ian Blackford earlier in December.

The SNP said on Thursday that Grady's six-month ban from the party had ended.

According to a party official, after being suspended for six months, Grady has rejoined the SNP. Following strong criticism from the victim, Nicola Sturgeon and Blackford, the former head of the SNP in Westminster, both came under scrutiny for how the claims were handled.



The Scottish Conservatives also said Grady should have been permanently fired from the party and that Sturgeon should be ashamed of herself.

Tory MP Annie Wells said it is shameful that Grady has gotten away with little more than a slap on the wrist and his tardy resignation in June was already much too little, far too late. Wells added that it is a smack in the face to his victim that he has now been welcomed back into the Westminster fold after only a few short months.

The major justification given by SNP MPs for removing Ian Blackford from his position as Westminster leader was his reprehensible choice to support Grady rather than his victim. Grady has since been cordially asked to re-join the group by his spineless successor Stephen Flynn.

FAQs:

1. Who is the SNP's Westminster leader?
   Ian Blackford
2. What was Grady accused of?
   Grady was accused of sexual advance to a teenage SNP staffer.