Nicola Sturgeon is being urged to suspend two SNP MPs after sexual harassment claims against them were upheld.
Former SNP chief whip Patrick Grady and Patricia Gibson, the party’s housing spokeswoman are both being asked to respond to the findings.
Mr Grady allegedly groped two male workers at an SNP Christmas Party back in 2016, while also being accused of inappropriately touching a teenager in a London pub in a separate incident.
Ms Sturgeon previously revealed her “concern” over Mr Grady, but chose not to take action at the time.
But after the allegations became public, Mr Grady stepped down from his role as chief whip.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon
Kirsty O'Connor
Patrick Grady has been asked to respond to the decision
Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament
While Ms Gibson is alleged to have made inappropriate comments towards a male staff member at Westminster’s Strangers Bar in January 2020.
She has denied the claims made against her, describing them as “malicious and unfounded”.
But the complaints have now been upheld following a new investigation carried out by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, according to the Sunday Times.
The Scottish liberal Democrats have called for both MPs to have their party whips removed.
A spokesperson said: “The SNP have been vocal about misconduct on the Conservative benches, they should recognise that the same standards they demand of others ought to apply to them.”
While Tory MP chief whip, Stephen Kerr added: “It appears that Nicola Sturgeon’s party has yet again failed victims of alleged sexual misconduct.
“The SNP have shown a complete lack of transparency and have tried to brush these horrendous incidents under the carpet in the hope people will forget about them. The victims deserve better than to be treated as an afterthought by the SNP.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “It would not be legally appropriate to comment while the independent parliamentary process is ongoing.”
