Shamed ex-MP who sexually harassed teen lands top job bankrolled by Scots Government

A former SNP MP who ­sexually harassed a teenage staff member has landed a top job with an international development charity bankrolled by the Scottish Government.

Patrick Grady, who was ­previously suspended from the SNP for six months, has been appointed head of policy and communications for Scotland’s International Development Alliance (SIDA).

Grady was suspended from the Commons for two days in June 2022 after a Westminster standards watchdog ruled he had breached its sexual misconduct policy by “touching and stroking” the ­teenager’s neck, hair and back.

The SNP was accused of dragging its feet over dealing with Grady, and he remains close friends with some senior figures in the party.

Last night Grady’s young victim hit out at his appointment – as did one opposition politician, who said he had “waltzed back into a top job”.

SIDA is a registered charity that helps organisations and individuals involved in international development, with most of its core costs covered by the Scottish Government.

It also receives funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and from members who pay an annual subscription.

Grady’s victim, a young ­political researcher who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I’m surprised to hear that an organisation such as Scotland’s International Development Alliance, which claims to fight injustice and strive for a fairer world, appears to have overlooked the significance of Grady’s sexual harassment towards me as a teenager in their vetting process.

“Employing someone with a documented history of inappropriate behaviour towards teenage colleagues sends a troubling message about how seriously they take ­safeguarding and accountability.

“Their decision to employ Patrick Grady calls into question the integrity of their leadership and their commitment to upholding the ­values they claim to represent.”

Grady has apologised in ­Parliament for his behaviour, saying he was “profoundly sorry”. He was readmitted to the party in December 2022.

Despite being ruled out as a ­candidate for the 2024 election, Grady remains on good terms with former senior SNP figures, including former Westminster group leader Ian Blackford.

In September Blackford posted a photograph on social media of himself, Grady and former MP Owen Thompson meeting up in Glasgow, with the comment: “Most enjoyable to meet with good friends and colleagues”.

Most enjoyable to meet with good friends and colleagues @OwenThompson and @GradySNP in Glasgow today. pic.twitter.com/qHAkulT3AH

— Ian Blackford (@blackfordian1) September 10, 2024

Last month Grady appeared on the Hansard Society “Parliament Matters” podcast, where he spoke of his regret, saying: “I think most people in their professional lives, you know, have ups and downs, and they have things that they regret and things that they would do differently.”

Grady’s victim added: “Patrick Grady’s actions caused real harm to real people, me included.

“I have worked tirelessly to rebuild my life after his actions destroyed my mental health and ended my career while he was able to continue his.”

In March 2021, Grady stepped aside from his role as Chief Whip after the SNP confirmed it had received a complaint of sexual misconduct against him by a party staff member.

An investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards concluded that Grady had breached Parliament’s Sexual Misconduct Policy by making an unwanted sexual advance towards a junior staff member at a social event in 2016.

In June 2022, the Independent Expert Panel, which determines appeals and sanctions in cases where complaints have been brought against MPs of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct, recommended that Grady be suspended from the House of Commons for two days.

Following the suspension, Grady temporarily suspended his SNP membership and sat as an ­independent MP.

He resumed his membership of the SNP Westminster Group in December 2022 after completing a period of suspension.

In 2023, it was reported that Grady was not included on the SNP’s approved candidates list for the next general election, rendering him ineligible to stand. He stepped down as an MP ahead of the 2024 UK General Election.

Grady’s profile on the Scottish International Development Alliance website documents how, between 2011 and 2024, he served as the Member of Parliament for Glasgow North, and was active on a range of global justice issues, including chairing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Malawi.

It adds: “As Head of Policy and Communications, Patrick works with members and external stakeholders, acting on opportunities for influence, and leading influencing and communications with key audiences.

“He is also responsible for SIDA’s communications strategy, with a focus on encouraging greater interaction with members and raising awareness of global citizenship with the wider public.”

© PA

However, the news of Grady’s appointment was not welcomed by the Scottish Tories.

MSP Annie Wells said: “The brave victim who came forward to report Patrick Grady’s behaviour will be shocked and alarmed that he has waltzed back into a top job, so soon afterwards.

“The SNP handled the whole affair appallingly and even restored the whip to Patrick Grady, despite him being found guilty of sexually harassing a teenage member of staff.

“Given that this organisation is funded by taxpayers’ money and is public facing in what it does, many will wonder if this disgraced former MP is the most appropriate person for such a role.”

Previously, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote to the victim apologising for Grady’s behaviour and said that she was “very sorry that a member of the SNP Westminster group staff was subjected to an unwanted sexual advance”.

The Scottish Government said: “Scotland’s International Development Alliance is an independent organisation and we have no role in their staffing appointments.”

SIDA was approached for a comment but did not respond.

The victim

The political researcher who suffered at the hands of Patrick Grady insisted the system had utterly failed to adequately hold his tormentor accountable while he has had to rebuild his whole life, including dropping his dream of a career in politics.

He said: “I’m surprised to hear that an organisation such as Scotland’s International Development Alliance, which claims to fight injustice and strive for a fairer world, appears to have overlooked the significance of Grady’s sexual harassment towards me as a teenager, in their vetting process.

“Employing someone with a documented history of inappropriate behaviour towards teenage colleagues, sends a troubling message about how seriously they take safeguarding and accountability.

“Their decision to employ Patrick Grady calls into question the integrity of their leadership and their commitment to upholding the values they claim to represent.”

Recent photographs posted on social media weeks ago by the SNP’s former Westminster leader Ian Blackford show him meeting up socially with Grady and former Midlothian MP Owen Thompson, praising his friends.

Grady’s victim said the post called into question Grady’s close friendships with those who were supposed to be investigating his complaint against the former MP.

He said: “I was disappointed to see the SNP Westminster Leader and Chief Whip, at the time of my complaints, meeting with Grady and posting about it online, causing me further distress.

“Their close relationship calls into question the legitimacy of the SNP’s investigation into my complaint, given Ian and Owen’s prominent roles in party and in handling my complaint.”

And in a political podcast last week, Grady appears laughing and joking about his time as SNP Whip at Westminster.

When Grady was asked about his suspension over his predatory behaviour he said: “All of that is a matter of record. All of those procedures were put in place for a reason, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme and the Independent Expert Panel, I co-operated fully with all of those procedures

“Everything that happened there is a matter of public record. And as I think I said at the time, I very much hope that I’ve learned lessons from all of that.

“I think most people in their professional lives, you know, have ups and downs, and they have things that they regret and things that they would do differently.

“That’s as true for my time as a member of parliament as it’s true for other aspects of my political career.

“Of course, there are things I would have done very differently if I had my time over, but I’m still very proud to have represented the people of Glasgow North.”

But his victim said: “Patrick Grady’s actions caused real harm to real people, myself included.

“Grady reflecting on his time in office without confronting the human cost of his misconduct feels incomplete and dismissive.

“Despite no support from ICGS, IEP or SNP, I have worked tirelessly to rebuild my life after his actions destroyed my mental health and ended my career, while he was able to continue his.

“It is important to remember that Patrick Grady is the perpetrator, not the victim.

“This whole outcome is a direct consequence of the SNP’s failure to hold Grady meaningfully accountable, creating a pathway for him to re-enter positions of influence without fully addressing the distress and harm he has caused.”