Union boss: Parly worst for conduct complaints
Number of concerns raised is ‘extraordinary’, inquiry is told
A TRADE union leader has told the Holyrood inquiry into the Alex Salmond debacle the number of concerns raised about conduct in Ministerial offices was “extraordinary”.
Dave Penman of the FDA also claimed there was a “much more significant prevalence” of issues in the Scottish Government than elsewhere.
He also said the number could be “broader” than an estimate of 30 civil servants expressing concerns over a 10-year period.
A Holyrood committee is looking at how complaints of sexual misconduct against Salmond when he was First Minister were handled by the SNP Government.
After the Government probe was completed in 2018, Salmond took legal action and a judge ruled the investigation had been biased and unlawful. The fiasco cost the taxpayer more than £500,000.
One of the issues being examined by MSPs is how the Government policy on harassment complaints against Ministers and former Ministers was developed in 2017. Penman, whose union represents senior civil servants, had previously issued evidence on concerns raised by his members about behaviour in Scottish Government Ministerial offices.
He wrote: “The culture within the former First Minister’s Office and other ministerial offices in relation to bullying behaviour became a concern for us.”
In relation to the last decade, which covers part of the period of the SNP being in power, he wrote that his union was aware of “approaches on behalf of around 30 members in relation to at least five Ministerial offices”.
His evidence did not name any individuals.
Giving evidence at Holyrood, Penman said of the 30 figure: “There seems to be a much more significant prevalence of those issues that we’re aware of. It does seem quite extraordinary, given the sort of numbers we are talking out.”
Penman described the figures as “remarkable”, adding: “It did feel like there’s an unusual number in the Scottish Government compared to the rest of the UK.”