I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT
BY ANDY PHILIP AND CRAIG ROBERTSON THE family of a woman pictured taped to a chair and gagged fear a Scottish Government review into the case could push her to suicide.
Marine Scotland fisheries officer DeeAnn Fitzpatrick appeared tied up in shocking images.
She claimed she was bullied and harassed between 2015 and 2017 while working at the agency’s office in Scrabster, Caithness.
The Scottish Government have now been accused of a “cover-up”, with DeeAnn’s family claiming they weren’t consulted on the findings of a review before it was published on Thursday.
In a statement sent to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government, the family said: “Since the investigation was completed months ago, you could have had the common decency to BY XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Dgdgddgdg dgdgdgdgdgd speak to her. This entire investigation has sought no resolution to the decade of abuse suffered by DeeAnn. HR and senior management seek to ensure she does not have a future with the Scottish Government.
“It’s one massive cover-up from an unethical and amoral government that can’t concede to misdoings.
“I don’t know how you all sleep at night but if this ridiculous decision on your behalf brings our sister to suicide, you won’t have to worry about backlash and the public outcry because it will be your fault.”
In May, Sturgeon said the image of the Canadian national bound to a chair with tape was horrifying.
In June, DeeAnn lost her case at an employment tribunal.
The image was not considered as it was said to have happened more than three years before the complaint was brought.
Last night, Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: “It is an absolute cover-up and no member of staff should be treated in this way.
“At the very least, the First Minister should have invited DeeAnn to a private meeting to discuss the review.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government has robust disciplinary procedures to address behaviour that falls below expected standards. We are satisfied these have been followed thoroughly and objectively in relation to this incident.”