The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
First minister will not ‘shy away’ from issues of misconduct in SNP
Nicola Sturgeon has said she will “not shy away” from dealing with issues of misconduct within her party.
The first minister made the comments while appearing on Sophy Ridge’s Sky News on Sunday programme as she called for misogyny and harassment to be better dealt with in politics.
It comes following the resignation of a Conservative backbencher who stood down after watching pornography in the Commons.
She was also asked about sexual misconduct allegations within her own party, as SNP MP Patrick Grady is investigated over claims he groped two male researchers.
The incidents are alleged to have occurred at a Christmas party in 2016.
Mr Grady, MP for Glasgow North, stood aside as chief whip following the claims, which were reported to Westminster’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Service (ICGS).
An independent panel is expected to investigate the allegations.
Speaking on Sky News, the first minister said she did not know the status of the investigation.
She said: “I’ve seen what has been reported, as I understand it the process is under way. I have not seen any findings.”
But she stressed she was not trying to “dodge” the issue and said the claims should be fully investigated.
She added: “I’m not trying to dodge this. It’s important that the process is allowed to proceed.
“When I do know whether...finally things have been upheld, I’m happy to come on and talk to you about that.
“And I’m happy to be open about what I think should happen in those circumstances.”
Her comments came as she called for a “culture” of misogyny and sexism within Westminster to be investigated, amid reports that 15 complaints have been made about inappropriate conduct by male MPS.
These include Neil Parish who admitted to watching pornography in the Commons after female MPS complained about his actions.
The Conservative Party suspended him and he has now resigned as an MP.
Ms Sturgeon added: “What I will say is I think parties cannot simply throw stones when it’s people in other parties who have been found guilty of these things. We all have to apply these standards to ourselves and I will not shy away from that when I do know what the outcome of these processes are.”
She said the recent issues could deter women from entering politics for fear of being targeted.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who previously sat as an MP before becoming an MSP, has said there is a “clear culture” of misogyny and sexism “in the corridors of power across society”.
“I think parties cannot simply throw stones...we all have to apply these standards to ourselves