A new report from the Scottish Parliament has uncovered 84 previously unreported cases of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment among staff over the past five years. The cases, which date back to 2021, include serious allegations of sexual misconduct and incidents linked to alcohol, with some behaviour described as intended to 'keep women in their place'.
The findings emerged from a review of the Parliament's Dignity at Work policies, which surveyed staff working for MSPs and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). Many individuals did not report incidents at the time due to fear of consequences, reputational harm, or concerns that reporting could damage political relationships or career prospects.
The report highlighted a 'persistent two-tier culture' where staff perceive that poor behaviour by MSPs is less likely to be challenged or addressed effectively. Proportionately, the highest number of anonymous disclosures related to MSPs, indicating a misuse of power by a small number of individuals.
Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and chief executive David McGill said they were 'deeply concerned' by the findings and acknowledged that some colleagues did not previously feel safe to share their experiences. The SPCB has given full support to recommendations, including a review of the complaints process and the creation of a single, accessible complaints and support hub.
