Teen MSYP quits Inverclyde role amid bullying claims; council launches probe
The Inverclyde council is investigating allegations of threats, harassment and cyberbullying against a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, who says the culture hindered his work.
A Scottish council has launched a formal probe into claims that a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament was bullied and harassed by officials in Inverclyde. Matthew Quinn, 18, announced he had quit as an MSYP for Inverclyde, saying a “toxic culture” at the Labour-led authority had made it impossible to fulfil his role.
He said he was “subjected to threats, harassment, sectarian comments and cyberbullying” because he had publicly disagreed with the administration, and he added: “I believe these actions, including those by unelected officials, were politically motivated.” Quinn said he was “disappointed” the Scottish Youth Parliament failed to “protect” him and he was “left to take on and challenge this behaviour alone.” He also suggested wider issues with local politicians, saying: “Inverclyde deserves better than politicians who cling onto power at all costs.”
It is understood criticism of council tax hikes and senior staff salaries had angered bosses. A £600,000-a-year charity, the SYP is largely funded by the Scottish Government. It is supposed to represent the voice of Scotland’s young people and to defend their rights, with elected members aged 14 to 25 representing constituencies Scotland-wide.
Quinn said his work “will now continue outside of the current structures.” He has met well-known politicians during his time in the youth parliament, including Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. He added: “My treatment at the hands of Inverclyde Council has been nothing short of disgraceful. I have taken the brave decision to resign.”
From Gourock, Quinn was elected an MSYP in February 2024 in a vote of 3,500 young people across Inverclyde. A former head boy at St Columba’s High School, the Glasgow University politics student said he wanted more “transparency,” with a young person on the council’s education committee.
An Inverclyde Council spokesman said: “We note that this individual has resigned as an MSYP. This person has made a series of allegations which will be fully investigated in line with council policies. Until last week, this person had not asked the council to investigate any safeguarding concerns about any individual. We have a long-standing partnership with the Scottish Youth Parliament and have a duty of care to all involved to ensure this is investigated without prejudice.”
An SYP spokesman said: “SYP takes safeguarding seriously and has continually strengthened its guidelines and procedures in line with evolving national child protection policies. We would never comment on any individual cases or on specific Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament.”
The Greenock Telegraph reported Quinn was the second Inverclyde MSYP to quit this week after Maya McRae, 19, said she was moving to Edinburgh to study. The Scottish Parliament declined to comment.
The Scottish Youth Parliament is a £600,000-a-year charity largely funded by the Scottish Government and is meant to defend the rights of Scotland’s young people and to represent them in issues of education and governance across the country.