Holyrood ‘should have central sexual harassment policy’

MSPS should abide by a central Holyrood policy on sexual harassment, according to a new report identifying a lack of confidence in the Scottish Parliament’s procedures.

The central policy would apply to all those working on the Holyrood campus including elected members, who should also undergo “mandatory training” to prevent inappropriate behaviour.

Specific training would be provided for all those at Holyrood who manage staff – a category which includes MSPS from back benchers to Cabinet ministers.

The recommendations for a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour were made in a report produced by MSPS on the Scottish Parlia ment’s Standards Committee. The report was compiled in the wake of the sexual harassment scandals to engulf Holyrood and Westminster and said the lack of confidence in the Holyrood system should be “urgently addressed”. Mark Macdonald, the former childcare minister, resigned from the SNP after an investigation by the party found that he had caused distress to women and had exploited his position of power. Mr Macdonald continues to sit at Holyrood as an independent.

The committee has postponed decisions on creating the ability to sack MSPS for gross misconduct for sexual harassment, on enabling parliamentary suspension of MSPS and on having an independent watchdog with the power to sanction MSPS.

Decisions on these will be taken once the issues are debated in parliament and considered by the joint working group on harassment.

At present, MSPS are disqualified from parliament if they are given a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, following the same rules as Westminster. However, there is no system of recall in place at Holyrood and the report said creating one would have “wider practical and constitutional implications”.

Committee convener Clare Haughey said: “Key amongst our aims must be promoting a culture in which unwanted behaviour and sexual harassment is unacceptable and people have the confidence to report misconduct. Thereafter we must ensure that any complaints are effectively dealt with.”