POLICE Scotland have set up a database to identify serial sex pests the Scottish Parliament, it has emerged.
Dubbed ‘Operation Concrete’, the computer log includes a “restricted access” section which would cover MSPs and Holyrood staff.
Details of the measure were revealed under Freedom of Information (FoI).
The Scottish Sun reported the database was set up last November, when then SNP childcare minister Mark McDonald quit the government over inappropriate text messages.
The Aberdeen Donside MSP later left the party after further details emerged, but continues to sit at parliament as an Independent member.
A recent Holyrood survey found a fifth of MSPs and staff had experienced sexual harassment or sexist behaviour.
In a briefing note obtained under FoI, Police Scotland said the Operation Concrete database would hold complaints linked “to either members/staff of the Scottish or UK Parliaments”.
It said: “A spreadsheet of all enquiries will be maintained with restricted access. This will ensure that repeat perpetrators are easily identified.
The document also includes a suicide prevention strategy for politicians accused of abuse, and plans for media management and the involvement of Crown Officer prosecutors.
Labour MSP Claire Baker, co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on Men’s Violence Against Women and Children, welcomed the database.
She said: “Sexual harassment has absolutely no place in modern Scotland, but we continue to have high-profile examples of it.
“It remains far too prevalent in society, including sadly, in Scottish politics.
“That’s why it’s right the Scottish Parliament has taken action to tackle sexual harassment - and why it’s right they’re receiving support from Police Scotland.
“The Scottish Parliament needs to take a robust approach and make clear this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and does have consequences for the perpetrator.”
Police Scotland Superintendent Laura McLuckie said: “A recording method for any reported incidents of a sexual nature involving MSPs or Parliament staff was initiated.
“This include use of the national intelligence database and provided the force with with a central point of collation.
“However, there have been no such incidents reported and therefore non recorded.”
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “We take a zero tolerance to harassment and any complaints will be investigated.”
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