Holyrood’s ‘catalogue’ of abuse
WOMEN working at the Scottish parliament have been the victims of a ‘catalogue’ of sexual harassment incidents, according to a high-profile lawyer. Aamer Anwar yesterday claimed he had been approached by a number of females – at all levels of politics and from all parties – who had reported stalking and sexual assault at Holyrood.
The human rights lawyer said victims have been speaking out – but were angry there has been little outcry or publicity.
He told the Sunday Herald: ‘It’s a catalogue of sexual harassment, stalking, social media abuse, sexual innuendos, verbal sexual abuse, touching, sexual assaults, requests for sex, coverup, isolation and bullying.’
He added: ‘How can it not be a problem in the Scottish parliament? There’s a problem at Westminster, there’s a problem in the film industry, there’s a problem in other institutions.’
Mr Anwar warned that ‘some people should be running scared’, adding: ‘Nothing at all has been done about it.’
In response, Health Secretary Shona Robison said: ‘There is clearly a focus at the moment about sexual harassment in a number of institutions and I would find it hard to believe the Scottish parliament is immune.
‘It’s really important these issues are brought out and people obviously should report it.’
A Scottish parliament spokesman said: ‘Sexual harassment is unacceptable. We take any allegation of sexual harassment in the workplace very seriously.’