X-rated messages complaint ‘brushed under carpet’ as MSP ‘targeted young staffers’

A married politician is said to have used a gay dating app to approach parliamentary staff working in the building – with one even claiming he sent naked images in which the member of Scottish Parliament could clearly be identified

The Scottish Parliament is confronting severe scrutiny over allegations that a complaint regarding a senior MSP’s purported sexual messages to a young aide was disregarded.

The wed politician allegedly utilised the gay dating application Grindr to contact parliamentary personnel working within the Holyrood premises. One former aide claims he received explicit photographs, including nude images in which the MSP could be unmistakably recognised.

Despite raising concerns with the HR department in 2018, he maintains he witnessed no evidence that measures were implemented. “The photos were worse than creepy, they were obscene,” the individual, who requested anonymity, revealed to the Daily Record.

“He was targeting people in the building. There was a faceless profile lurking on gay staff members’ Grindr profiles, it ended up being him”.

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The complainant continued: “He was operating in a close radius, which was revealed in the app. I was amazed he started off anonymous then very quickly be so open and reveal his face at the same time he sent naked, extreme pornographic stuff. I wasn’t aware of him even being spoken to. I felt it was brushed under the carpet,” reports the Mirror.

The photographs depicted the unclothed MSP in indecent positions and were viewed by several other men, it is alleged. The complainant stated he received a notification from an unidentified profile on Grindr, and despite opting to display only his initials on his profile, the MSP recognised his identity, addressing him by his first name in the correspondence.

“I had an initial conversation and knew it was someone nearby. He would have known how close people he was contacting were, within a few yards,” he said. “The next thing a picture came through. The images are burned on my brain. He was in an aroused state and naked. I could see his face. Some were worse. He went from zero to 10 with graphic content in just a few messages.”

The victim informed his boss, a prominent MSP, along with his workplace colleagues. He claims other gay parliamentary assistants were targeted in a similar manner by the same MSP via Grindr.

He said: “My MSP pushed me to out him. I was in discussions with HR. The right thing to do would be a formal complaint. But I knew he had children. I didn’t want them to be put through that.”

The victim revealed he reported the behaviour to HR and was informed they would have a word with the MSP’s business manager. The source claimed there was “no chance” the MSP’s conduct wouldn’t have reached party leadership.

He said: “I refuse to believe they wouldn’t have known, given how brazen he was.”

A mate, whom the man confided in when the photos were transmitted, said: “The MSP walked past while we were having lunch. He waved over and I knew from my friend’s reaction he was uncomfortable. I saw the photos.

“I couldn’t believe how brazen they were, proper X-rated and offensive. The lingering thoughts I had were about him getting off with it. He was a married man in a position of power very explicitly targeting younger men in junior positions. He should have been stopped in his tracks.”

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “The Parliament takes a zero tolerance approach to harassment in the workplace and any allegations will be taken extremely seriously. This approach has been in place since 2018. Anyone contacting the Parliament’s HR Team regarding harassment is signposted to published information on how to make a complaint and how to access our independent, advocacy and support services.

“In every single case, our team proactively follows up with individuals to check whether they wish to make a formal complaint, whether a complaint has been made and whether any further support is required. This follow up process continues in every instance until a conclusion is reached. All complaints are investigated independently of the Parliament.

“All approaches to us are confidential and it is for individuals to decide with whom we share this information. We do, however, encourage individuals to raise the matter with their employer if they feel able. We also advise individuals that any complaints of a criminal nature should be reported to Police Scotland.”