Police at Holyrood informed after report reveals 84 cases of harassment

Police at Holyrood have been informed about a new report detailing scores of previously unreported cases of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone told MSPs on Friday that the police unit at the Scottish Parliament had been made “aware of the limited information” contained in the report.

It was published after a Dignity at Work survey of staff working for MSPs and for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body – which is responsible for the running of Holyrood – was completed in January this year.

It revealed 84 previously unreported cases of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment since 2021.

The cases are said to include “serious allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment affecting women and men” as well as “incidents linked to alcohol and behaviour described as intended to ‘keep women in their place'”.

The report added that “these patterns indicate misuse of power by a small number of individuals and a gap between lived experience and official reporting volumes”.

Speaking on Friday, Ms Johnstone made clear: “There can and must be zero tolerance of inappropriate behaviour.”

She added that the review and publication of the report had “brought issues to light which were previously unknown”.

The Presiding Officer said: “Speaking out is never easy and our foremost concern is for anyone affected by inappropriate conduct.

“Senior Parliament officials made the Parliament police unit aware of the limited information we have and sought advice regarding reporting duties and signposting.

“I would encourage anyone who has experienced inappropriate conduct to report it. Officials will support any person who wishes to formally report concerns.”

First Minister John Swinney said: “It is vital that everyone who comes to work at this Parliament comes to a safe and respectful working environment, that applies to every single member of staff no matter their role.

“If even just one person has a bad experience here that is completely unsatisfactory, and there is a duty on all of us to address it.

“As First Minister, I want to make clear to Parliament a culture of appropriate behaviour is essential to the functioning of our democracy.”

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said in the wake of the report it was “clear that things need to change”.

With the current Parliament due to finish at the end of this month ahead of May’s Holyrood election, Mr Findlay added that it would be for the next Parliament to “take the necessary action to ensure that unacceptable behaviour at Holyrood is no longer tolerated”.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar similarly made clear the issue must be an “urgent priority for the next Parliament”.

Calling for “decisive action” in the wake of the “deeply worrying” report, he added: “There must be a zero tolerance for bullying and sexual harassment in the Scottish Parliament.”

Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay said the allegations in the report, and also the volume of them, “are shocking and will be hugely concerning for everyone”.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said that while the report was “embarrassing”, it was also a “call to action”.