Victim forced to flee Holyrood as shamed McDonald returns
Parliament worker on long-term sick with stress
A WOMAN who complained about shamed former SNP minister Mark McDonald has been signed off work for up to three months as she is so concerned by his return. The woman, who works in the Scottish parliament, was so stressed by his reappearance that she had to take long-term sickness leave.
Another complainant has also been off work this week following the return of the Aberdeen Donside MSP. The details emerged as a Holyrood committee yesterday confirmed it will order a public standards watchdog to carry out a full investigation after receiving a complaint about his campaign of ‘harassment and sexual innuendo’ against a worker.
If the probe rules against Mr McDonald, MSPs on the standards committee will decide on sanctions, including withdrawing his right to access the parliamentary estate – effectively preventing him from doing his job. Another possible sanction is suspension.
Mr McDonald yesterday confirmed he intends to continue to attend parliament while the investigation takes place.
The SNP will ‘fully co-operate’ with the probe, to be carried out by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. The party was urged to contact the three women whose complaints it investigated to ask if they want the findings to be passed to the commissioner.
The committee announced the investigation following a complaint by Nationalist MSP James Dornan, who said his female staff member repeatedly told him of her distress over Mr McDonald’s conduct.
Committee convener Clare Haughey said: ‘We understand due process must be followed and this will take time, regardless of who carries out the investigation. It is in no one’s interest that this process becomes drawn out.
‘It is clear there will be considerable ongoing interest in this case and in the investigation. The committee will not make any further public comment until we have considered the commissioner’s report.
‘The commissioner must be allowed to carry out this investigation without any interference. It will be for the commissioner to determine what evidence is relevant and necessary for the investigation.’
Mr McDonald returned to Holyrood this week for the first time in four months. He has been given an office in the basement because of concerns raised by the SNP about him getting one on its floor.
At a press conference on Tuesday, he said he deserved a ‘second chance’ and he was returning because he has not been convicted of anything.
The SNP has already carried out its own investigation into his actions. It concluded that his ‘inappropriate behaviour had been deliberate’.
Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, who represents several women who have suffered sexual harassment at Holyrood, including complaints relating to Mr McDonald, said: ‘It is imperative that the SNP go back to these individuals and ask them if they want that report to be passed on.’
Asked if he would attend parliament while the investigation takes place, Mr McDonald said: ‘I will co-operate fully with the commissioner’s investigation. I will be making no further public comment.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘At all times the SNP will be guided by the interests of the women who have come forward with their experiences and will respect their wishes.
‘We welcome the fact the commissioner is to conduct an investigation and will fully co-operate.’
‘Considerable ongoing interest’