Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, December 19, 2019

Official Report 437KB pdf

Sexual Harassment and Sexist Behaviour

Agenda item 3 is consideration of revisions to the guidance on the code of conduct for MSPs in relation to sexual harassment and sexist behaviour. The proposed new text responds to the committee’s request for definitions to inform the understanding of the revisions to the “Treatment of others” section of the code, which the Parliament agreed to last week. Are members content to approve the revised guidance?

Members indicated agreement.

The guidance will come into effect at the same time as the revisions to the code, on 7 January 2020.

Agenda item 4 is also on sexual harassment and sexist behaviour. The committee will consider revisions to the directions to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. The changes implement the recommendations of the joint working group on sexual harassment and sexist behaviour. Are members content to approve the directions?

Members indicated agreement.

The directions will come into effect at the same time as the revisions to the code of conduct for MSPs.