A FORMER SNP council leader has been arrested and charged over multiple allegations of sexual offences.

The Herald reported that Jordan Linden, who briefly led North Lanarkshire Council for the SNP, was arrested and released on Wednesday.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a number of non-recent sexual offences committed at various locations in Scotland.

"A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

In May 2023, Police Scotland confirmed officers were investigating an allegation of sexual assault made against Linden, saying the probe was in its "early stages".

Linden had resigned as North Lanarkshire Council leader after the historic allegations resurfaced following his win in the 2022 local elections.

After he quit, eventually as a councillor altogether, the SNP administration in North Lanarkshire collapsed and Labour took control of the local authority.

Labour also won the by-election in the Bellshill ward triggered by Linden's resignation.

Humza Yousaf said previously that the SNP would investigate how complaints made against Linden were handled after the controversy led to a slew of resignations from the SNP group.

Seven former SNP councillors now represent the Progressive Change North Lanarkshire group, claiming a "toxic" atmosphere in the SNP.

Linden has previously refuted the allegations made against him.