SCOTTISH Ministers are pledging to make so-called "revenge porn" a specific criminal offence.

The Government is exploring new legislation which would tackle the growing problem of people who post intimate photographs or videos online to humiliate and take revenge on (usually) ex-partners.

Plans to outlaw revenge porn south of the Border were backed by the Lords this week, meaning the distribution of a private sexual image of someone without their consent and with the intention of causing them distress will be punishable by up to two years in jail.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman, Alison McInnes, has written to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill urging him to legislate for Scotland as a matter of urgency.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said it was already "exploring seriously the creation of a specific new offence of posting or distributing revenge pornography" and expected to make a formal announcement "very soon".

She added: "It is important that people, especially victims, know that the behaviour is unacceptable which is where a new offence could help."