Sex pest ex-SNP MP lands top job at charity bankrolled by Scottish Government

SEX pest former MP Patrick Grady has bagged a top job with a charity bankrolled by the Scottish Government. 

The shamed Nat, who harassed a teen staffer, has been appointed head of policy and communications for Scotland’s International Development Alliance (SIDA). 

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A probe by Westminster’s standards watchdog in June 2022 concluded Grady engaged in sexual misconduct by “touching and stroking” his victim’s neck, hair and back.

The Glasgow North MP was banned from the Commons for two days and suspended from the SNP for six months.

He was ordered to make a public apology, as well as a private one to the victim.

Last night, Grady’s victim told the Sunday Post: “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”.

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

It also gets funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office. 

Scottish Tory MSP Annie Wells added: “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.

“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.”

Grady was left off a list of approved SNP candidates ahead of the 2024 general election, before stepping down as an MP ahead of the vote in July.

In a staff profile published on the SIDA website, it described how “Patrick served as the Member of Parliament for Glasgow North, and was active on a wide range of global justice issues throughout that time, chairing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Malawi.”

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The profile continued: “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.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government told the Sunday Post: “Scotland’s International Development Alliance is an independent organisation and we have no role in their staffing appointments”.

SIDA has been approached for comment.