5 younger males who declare to have been groomed, harassed or assaulted by Jordan Linden have accused a youth charity boss of failing to guard them.
The lads, who have been all members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) or had hyperlinks with the organisation’s tasks, declare they have been let down in 2016 when allegations emerged about his conduct whereas chairman.
One of many alleged victims was simply 14 when he claims Linden despatched him semi-nude pictures and sexual messages.
One other man, 17 on the time, claims to have been sexually assaulted whereas at an in a single day SYP occasion after being booked right into a room with Linden containing a double mattress.
In 2016 the SYP launched an inner investigation when allegations about Linden’s conduct have been reported to the chief government Ben McKendrick.
Regardless of the claims involving sexual harassment of kids, a non-public legislation agency was contracted to analyze reasonably than police.
McKendrick and the SYP later dismissed the allegations as “false” and mentioned Linden had “no case to reply”, whereas Linden described those that had made the claims as “liars”.
McKendrick stays because the SYP boss, and in 2019 was made a non-executive director of the Scottish Authorities.
Jack O’Hara, an occasions employee, joined the SYP in March 2015 and was amongst those that advised legal professionals he had been despatched unsolicited pictures by Linden when he was simply 14.
He claimed investigators have been extra focussed on accusing him of wrongdoing than coping with the allegations about Linden.
The 21-year-old historical past pupil from Edinburgh mentioned: “There have been lots of people within the youth parliament who got here from possibly damaged houses, tough backgrounds, had been bullied or simply didn’t have a number of pals in school.
“I used to be pals with Jordan for a time, however he was all the time pushing his luck and flirting.
“It will make me really feel uncomfortable since you’d get Snapchats within the bathtub from him, or images of him getting dressed.
“He was absolutely an grownup and I used to be 14.”
Jack mentioned the flirtatious messages continued “getting extra sexual” and it was clear he had a “sexual curiosity” which was not reciprocated.”
SYP members, who're non-party political and aged 14 to 25, collect 3 times a 12 months at completely different areas, with travelling attendees put up in accommodations close by to attend the sittings.
At a gathering in Renfrewshire in June 2015, Jack claimed Linden got here into his room and “began poking me and making an attempt to tickle me.”
He mentioned: “I used to be saying ‘Get off, cease it’ and he saved saying ‘What you gonna do, what you gonna do?’
“He was this heavy-set man and was backing me right into a nook, kind of daring me to try to get away from him. I can’t say it was an assault but it surely was undesirable and creepy, and I used to be a baby.”
Through the SYP investigation, Jack was accused of breaking the youth parliament’s pointers.
Jack mentioned: “I advised them I had been despatched pictures by Jordan and in regards to the kind of messages he would ship.
“I later bought an e mail saying that I had breached the organisation’s guidelines by sharing a picture, and there was discuss ‘revenge porn’ costs.
“I used to be criticised for my response to abuse by somebody who was primarily grooming me – he was making an attempt to start out a sexual or intimate relationship whereas he was able of energy, and I used to be a baby.”
Jack’s mum Allison confirmed she had been current when her son disclosed to investigators he had obtained the pictures and sexually express messages, and was angered to be taught the claims had been described as “false” by McKendrick.
She mentioned: “I felt let down and really feel that different younger individuals who have been involved with Jordan weren't protected.”
In Could 2016 Linden resigned as SYP chairman, with members advised he wished to deal with his research. In late 2017, the police have been requested to have a look at the claims made towards Linden, nonetheless officers have been unable to seek out proof of criminality and closed the investigation.
A number of males who have been interviewed by the police mentioned they'd been advised the probe was dropped as there was not sufficient proof.
It's claimed that Linden used Snapchat to ship lewd pictures to younger individuals, with the app deleting any messages after a brief time period.
Not one of the alleged victims might produce the images as they'd already disappeared.
A number of males confirmed our reporter textual content messages from Linden apologising for ‘snaps’ despatched the evening earlier than.
They declare Linden was apologising for sending sexually express images.
One man, who didn't need to be named, mentioned: “I used to be inundated, he would attempt to contact and cuddle me.
“I simply pushed him apart, however because it continued I reported his behaviour to youth employees, and mentioned I didn’t need to share a room with him on in a single day journeys.”
In a message despatched to a different man, Linden joked about wanting a “hug” and asking somebody within the SYP to “guide one other double mattress” for him. The Sunday Mail also can reveal officers have been advised by one other younger man that he had been sexually assaulted by Linden, however he didn't believe within the course of to press costs.
The person, now 24, mentioned the assault came about at a Premier Inn in Edinburgh in early September 2015 whereas members of the youth parliament have been internet hosting a go to from a UN ambassador.
He mentioned: “There was a double mattress within the room, it seemed like a mistake within the reserving.
“Me and Jordan simply mentioned yeah, no matter, tremendous. I didn’t thoughts having to share, but it surely wasn’t preferrred.
“I wakened in the course of the evening although, with him touching my thighs and rubbing them.
“He thought I used to be asleep. I fully froze, I didn’t know what to do.”
Interviewed in 2017, the person requested police to tell McKendrick in regards to the assault and his causes for not reporting it – that he had misplaced all religion and confidence within the course of.
He mentioned he heard nothing from the SYP or McKendrick following his disclosure.
Police Scotland wouldn't verify whether or not it did go this info to the SYP, however re-issued its assertion from 2017 saying: “Quite a few individuals have been spoken to and enquiries have now concluded with no criminality established.”
Ben McKendrick didn't reply after we requested him why he described the claims as false, or why he didn't instantly go to the police.
A spokesman for the SYP didn't reply our particular questions, however mentioned: “SYP needs to make it clear that every one allegations of harassment or inappropriate behaviour of any form are taken very significantly, investigated completely, and the suitable motion taken in step with our insurance policies and nationwide youngster safety steerage.
“The place deemed applicable, and in step with these insurance policies, related info can be handed on to exterior authorities such because the police or social companies.”
Once we put the allegations to Jordan Linden, he mentioned he was beforehand investigated and added: “Clearly somebody – for their very own agenda - needs to revisit a difficulty that has been absolutely investigated and concluded.
“As I mentioned the opposite day, I simply ask that I be allowed the house to deal with recovering my psychological and bodily well being.”
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