Police could be told if MSPsnamedinsurvey
MSPS could be reported to the police if they are named in allegations to a new Scottish Parliament helpline or in a staff survey.
Presiding Officer, Ken Macintosh, said the Parliament has a duty to inform police of any criminality.
Mr Macintosh said if perpetrators of sexual harassment were identified either in the survey or thought he phone line there would be a “legal duty” to inform the police.
The warning comes as the sexual harassment scandal engulfing Westminster and Holyrood continues with more resignations and investigations.
Scottish Government Childcare Minister, Mark McDonald, resigned after he was the subject of a complaint about inappropriate behaviour.
He said his past actions had been “considered to be inappropriate” although he said he had thought it to be “humorous or attempting to be friendly”.
He has apologised if his behaviour made others uncomfortable.
A spokesman for the First Minister, said: “Mark has taken the right action in apologising and recognising that in his current role it would be inappropriate for him to remain in government.”
Monica Lennon, Labour Central Scotland MSP, has revealed she was the victim of a sexual assault by a senior party member in 2013.
Ms Lennon said she was groped at a social event four years ago at a private function witnessed by around half a dozen people when she was a South Lanarkshire councillor.
Ms Lennon said: “A man, who was a senior figure in the party, touched me in a manner that some would say is ‘handsy’.
“He was sitting next to me when he groped me, in full view of other people.”
She said she made an initial complaint to the Scottish Labour Party, she decided not to progress with it because she felt she would not be believed.
A Labour Party spokesman said: “The Party takes all complaints of sexual harassment, abuse and discrimination extremely seriously.
“We ask that anyone with a complaint comes forward so that allegations can be properly investigated.
“When evidence of misconduct comes to light, all appropriate disciplinary action is taken in line with the Party’s rule book and procedures.”
At Westminster, Damian Green, the Prime minister’s deputy is the subject of an investigation into allegations that pornographic material was found on one of his parliamentary computers in 2008.
Mr Green, the First Secretary of State, is already the subject of an inquiry by the Cabinet Office after a woman alleged that he made inappropriate advances to her, claims which he strenuously denies.