Holyrood ministerial code tightened to cover harassment and bullying
The Scottish Government’s ministerial code has been updated to say harassment, bullying or discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.
A newly published version of the code, for which Nicola Sturgeon is responsible, includes a new clause saying: “Harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour” will not be tolerated.
Last year Mark Mcdonald stood down as childcare minister after admitting his conduct had caused a woman “considerable distress”. The Scottish Government said changes have been made to bring the code into line with UK ministerial code and insisted they have not been prompted by any particular incident.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “None of the changes being made are prompted by any specific issue relating to a current or former Minister. The changes relating to the Scottish Code about Ministerial conduct reflect precisely the January 2018 changes to the UK Ministerial Code to address Ministers’ working relationships with civil servants, Ministerial and Parliamentary colleagues and Parliamentary staff, and to make clear that “harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour, wherever it takes place, is not consistent with the Ministerial Code and will not be tolerated.”