Patrick Grady MP to defend Glasgow seat after police probe

The SNP’s Patrick Grady is expected to stand for re-election in Glasgow North, The Scottish Sun has reported.

According to the paper, he plans to "woo churchgoers" in a bid to retain his seat.

It comes after he was forced to resign from the party while a police investigation took place last year.

He was reinstated after a six-month suspension which prompted backlash from opposition parties.

At the time, an SNP spokesperson said: “Following a six-month suspension, Patrick Grady has resumed his membership of the SNP.”

Former SNP Westminster group leader Ian Blackford was criticised for his handling of the complaint against Grady, who was the party’s chief whip in the House of Commons.

He was reported to have told MPs that they should support Grady following the complaints.

The complainer said the party’s handling of the incident made their life a “living hell”, with the politician saying he was “profoundly sorry”.

It was confirmed the incident took place in London in 2016, when Mr Grady was the SNP's former chief whip.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it was investigating the incident at the time.

A statement said: “On Wednesday June 22, 2022, police received an allegation of sexual assault that is said to have taken place in October 2016 at a commercial premises in Folgate Street, E1.

“The report was submitted online by a third party.

“Officers will now be making enquiries, including contacting the alleged victim, in order to assess what further action is required.”

New boundary proposals mean there could be an internal contest over the seat, however, it remains to be seen who the SNP will back as its candidate.

The Glasgow Central seat is to be removed and, instead, split with five other seats - including Glasgow North.

It's unclear if the SNP's Alison Thewliss, who currently represents Glasgow Central, will choose to stand for another seat.

Neither the party nor the MP have commented on the issue.