SCOTTISH parliamentary authorities are investigating allegations that a Tory MSP broke the rules by filming an activist’s “flashing” protest during the Holyrood debate on gender reform.
The Presiding Officer is "extremely concerned" that the footage of the protest, which was taken while parliamentary proceedings were suspended, has been widely shared after apparently being filmed by an MSP.
Police are also probing the incident after complaints were put in about a campaigner against gender reform who flashed their genital area at MSPs while wearing a “merkin” – a pubic wig.
SNP MSP Siobhian Brown accused her Tory counterpart Douglas Lumsden of having breached the rules by filming the protest.
And now the Scottish parliamentary authorities are also investigating, The National has been told.
“The Presiding Officer can confirm that parliamentary authorities are examining the apparent filming from the Chamber floor on Thursday 22 December,” a Scottish Parliament spokesperson said.
“MSPs must conduct themselves with courtesy and respect at all times and longstanding guidance on conduct prohibits MSPs from taking photos or recording videos in the chamber.
“The Presiding Officer is extremely concerned that footage showing an incident which took place after parliamentary proceedings had been suspended to deal with disruption in the gallery has been shared widely."
Guidance published alongside the code of conduct for Scottish parliamentarians says that they should not use digital devices to “take photographs, to record proceedings or to make telephone calls”.
However, the Parliament website says this guidance "does not form part of the code and is not enforceable".
Another Tory MSP, Russell Findlay, met with the “flasher” protester and other prominent gender critical activists and shared an image of himself holding a merkin.
It comes after the Conservative group was accused of working together with campaigners opposed to gender reform to fill up the public gallery for the third stage debate of the bill.
The Scottish Tories have been approached for comment.
