Parliament staff report 84 cases of bullying and harassment in five years

Scottish Parliament staff have reported 84 incidents of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment since 2021, a review has found.

A Dignity at Work survey found 45 allegations of bullying, 25 of harassment and 14 of sexual harassment.

A "very small number" of allegations of serious sexual misconduct were also made.

All Holyrood staff, including those who work for MSPs, were invited to take part in the survey.

The bullying and harassment reports were made confidentially to parliament's Independent Support and Advocacy Service.

The review states that it "identifies concerns within a small number of MSPs' offices, including reports of inappropriate behaviour and, in a very few cases, conduct that may amount to serious sexual misconduct".

The report also states that staff in parliament perceive there to be a "two-tier culture" where poor behaviour by MSPs is less likely to be dealt with.

The allegations involved both women and men and included incidents linked to alcohol and behaviour which were described as being intended to "keep women in their place".

Some MSP staff reported being discouraged from raising concerns on the basis that doing so would "harm the party".

In a letter to all MSPs and staff, Parliament's presiding officer Alison Johnstone and its chief executive David McGill said they were "deeply concerned" by the findings.

They added: "Our foremost concern is for those affected. Coming forward is never easy, and we are grateful to everyone who took part in this review.

"Anyone who raises concerns must be supported and assured that their concerns will be handled with independence, expertise and empathy.

"There can, and must, be zero tolerance of inappropriate behaviour."

Johnstone and McGill added that the vast majority of MSPs and members behaved appropriately, but that there appeared to be "low confidence in existing processes" which would now have to be reformed.

"We must learn from these findings and ensure the necessary reforms are taken forward swiftly, transparently and with care," they said.