Disgraced MP Patrick Grady has ended his membership in the SNP while being investigated by police for alleged sexual assault, the party said.
The Glasgow North MP will sit in the Commons as an independent after Metropolitan Police confirmed he was investigating a complaint against him relating to October 2016.
An SNP spokesman said: “Patrick Grady is moving away from his party while the police investigation continues.”
In practice, it means that Mr Grady will not be an SNP MP during any police investigation, but he does not rule out a comeback for him.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman commented: “On June 22, police received a report of sexual assault that is said to have taken place in October 2016 at a commercial premises on Folgate Street, E1.
“The report was sent online by a third party.
“Officers will now make inquiries, including contacting the alleged victim, to assess what additional measures are needed.”
The evolution of the last time for the party since last week a Commons control dog found Mr Grady had sexually harassed a party member 17 years his junior in a pub in 2016.
Grady was found to have “made an unwanted sexual breakthrough” while he was “under the effects of alcohol” and was suspended by the Commons and the SNP for two days.
The dispute over his conduct escalated dramatically following a leak of a Westminster SNP group recording after the finding leaked to the media.
Although the group’s leader, Ian Blackford, promised a “zero tolerance” approach to harassment in 2017, he was heard urging his fellow MPs to give their “full support” to Mr Grady, resulting in to cries of “listen, listen.”
Opposition parties said Blackford was a hypocrite who should resign.
Nicola Sturgeon described the content of the recording as “totally unacceptable” and apologized because the victim felt unsupported.
However, he continues to support Blackford as Westminster leader.
Blackford has since turned against Mr Grady, saying he should reflect on his conduct and position, and said his future is now a matter for his constituency.
The SNP has lost four of the 48 deputies it returned to in the 2019 elections.
Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey deserted to Alba, Margaret Ferrier became independent after not following Covid’s rules, and now Mr. Grady.
Scottish Conservative Party chairman Craig Hoy said: “Patrick Grady should have been fired long before, but the SNP has shown that they have absolutely no backbone and would prefer to support the aggressor above the victim.
“The aggressor has disappeared, but the poison is still in the SNP and the party leadership should be ashamed of the way they have handled this scandal.
“It is appalling that Nicola Sturgeon and Ian Blackford continue to treat a dishonored MP with more sympathy than the victim who suffered sexual harassment.
“Harassment in Blackford must now face the repercussions it deserves and be fired so that victims have confidence that they will be taken seriously in the future.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton added: “At no point has Ian Blackford shown any leadership. He expressed his full support for Patrick Grady for the victim, allowing the SNP whips to act from threatening manner and resorted to intimidation.Ian Blackford must go.