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Last October a lawyer criticised the "abject silence" of male MSPs over claims that women have been sexually harassed at the Scottish Parliament.

Aamer Anwar said he had been told of a "catalogue of abuse" ranging from cyberstalking to physical assault.

He said much of the behaviour would have seen those responsible arrested if it had happened on a public street.

But he said there had been silence from "pretty much all the male politicians at Holyrood" over the issue.

Mr Anwar told the Sunday Herald at the weekend, external that he had spoken to several individuals at Holyrood, from interns and researchers to MSPs, who had been subjected to sexual harassment.

And the Daily Record newspaper said it had been told of three "creepy" male MSPs, external who have been accused of intimidating behaviour and making unwanted advances towards women.

• Action urged over Westminster abuse claims
• Concern over Holyrood harassment claims

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SNP chief whip Bill Kidd says he hopes the approach in the SNP is also reasonably logical.

Mr Kidd notes his fellow whips are not all men.

He says all SNP staff recieved a letter from Nicola Sturgeon outlining the duty of care and identifying a point of contact for raising these issues.

SNP MSP Kate Forbes asks what party procedures might stop people coming forward and how this will be changed.

Willie Rennie says there are a variety of difference channels within the Scottish Lib Dems, including a pastoral care worker which is says has "bedded in really well".

He says he would like to continue with this procedure for now since it is relatively new.

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Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said the survey made "difficult reading".

Mr Macintosh said party leaders had "reiterated their strong commitment to tackling these issues and to ensuring a zero tolerance approach".

He said: "For an institution which prides itself on openness, inclusivity and on having progressive working practices, a number of the findings make for difficult reading.

"I am sorry that people have experienced this type of behaviour while working here. I am determined to address this.

"Sadly, these issues are not unique to the Scottish Parliament. As an institution that reflects Scotland, Holyrood will inevitably reflect the inequality that exists in Scottish society.

"However, as the nation's legislature, it is our duty to take a moral and political lead in tackling sexist behaviour and harassment."

Ms Grant says people need to know they are being believed within a power dynamic.

The Labour MSP says if someone is harassing you they are probably harassing someone else so if you are loyal to your party it is almost incumbent on you to speak out.

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Maurice Golden says the vast majority of people working at the parliament have not chosen to be in public life.

Willie Rennie says the MeToo movement was like a dam breaking and something similar may happen at Holyrood.

• How 'MeToo' is exposing the scale of sexual abuse

Patrick Harvie suggests change is currently afoot in wider society, with expectations increasing that such sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour must be dealt with.

Parliament must have its own procedures for reporting to give people a "neutral, non-political route" to raise concerns, he adds.

Rhoda Grant suggests people are "picking on" people that they do not think will say anything and that is an abuse of power.

"If you are going to complain about an MSP who is your employer, you are going to worry about the roof over your head. Are you going to be able to continue to work for that person if the relationship breaks down? I would argue your relationship has already broken down".

Ms Grant adds that people need to know they will be believed.

SNP chief whip Bill Kidd urges people to make a complaint is they are subject to inappropriate behaviour.

He argues this will help to adress and reduce it.

"I feel really bad about people keeping this to themselves."

Conservative business manager Maurice Golden confesses he was "shocked and surprised" by the results.

He says as a new parliamentarian he felt the culture was similar to other public bodies, adding that the issue is not a cultural one.

Processes for dealing with the issue and ensuring everyone actively works to address problems is important, Mr Golden adds.

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Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie suggests there needs to be a shake up of procedures as the survey indicates it is a widespread issue.

"The fact that these figures are so high should give us a bit of a wake up call."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "shocked, saddened and disappointed" by the survey reults.

She said: "It is clear that women and men - but mainly women - have put up with behaviour that is unacceptable.

"No one should be subject to harassment or sexist behaviour of any kind in their work or personal life and our national parliament should set a positive example as a place of work with the highest standards of behaviour."

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Kezia Dugdale, a member of the parliamentary corporate body management group, said the results were "concerning", but "by no means surprising".

"We have known for many years that sexual harassment and sexist behaviour is present throughout our society. This survey confirms that Holyrood is not immune to the problem.

"The key question now is how we tackle the issues it has uncovered."

A joint working group set up to look at the problem will now consider the findings, with Mr Macintosh saying it had already started to identity the key strands of work it will take forward to address the issues raised".

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Green MSP Patrick Harvie says "we should be deeply concerned" but not surprised by this, highlighting the abuse of power across society.

Mr Harvie: "All of us need to take a collective responsibility.""

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says she finds the figures deeply disappointing.

Ms Grant says it could just be one MSP doing this when you look into the figures.

Committee convener Clare Adamson begins with the recently published survey results on sexual harassment at Holyrood.

She notes that 45% of those who reported inappropriate behaviour said an MSP was the perpetrator and asks: why?

SNP chief whip Bill Kidd says these figures let parliament down.

He hopes that the issue can be tackled so people feel safe and comfortable coming to work.

Image source, Getty Images/Scottish Parliament

The survey was set up following concerns about harassment and inappropriate behaviour in politics, with claims of a "catalogue of abuse" at Holyrood.

A total of 1,039 surveys were filled out, and while 78% of respondents said they had not experienced harassment or sexist behaviour, 20% said they had.

This included 30% of women, with the most common complaints noted including sexist comments and "looks, leers, comments or gestures of a sexual nature".

A total of 5% reported unwanted physical contact, with this including complaints of "invasion of personal space", hugging, kissing and groping.

Of those who reported harassment or sexist behaviour, 45% identified the perpetrator as an MSP - those responsible for such behaviour were found to be "predominantly male and tend to be in a position of authority over those experiencing it".

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Committee convener Clare Haughey introduces:

• Maurice Golden, business manager for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
• Rhoda Grant, business manager for the Scottish Labour Party
• Patrick Harvie, business manager for the Scottish Green Party
• Bill Kidd, chief whip for the Scottish National Party
• Willie Rennie, business manager for the Scottish Liberal Democrats

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One fifth of Scottish Parliament staff - including one in three women - have experienced sexual harassment or sexist behaviour while working at Holyrood.

The parliament published the results of a confidential survey of MSPs and staff which more than 1,000 took part in.

A fifth of respondents said they had experienced such behaviour, including 30% of women.

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said the survey results "make difficult reading".

Read more here.

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The Standards Committee will shortly take evidence on sexual harassment at the Scottish Parliament from all five political parties.

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Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on 8 March 2018, International Women's Day.

First up this morning the Standards Committee will take evidence on sexual harassment at the Scottish Parliament from all five political parties.

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After general questions we’ll bring you extensive coverage of first minister’s questions.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson’s member’s debate is entitled ‘Save the Greenbelt’.

Scottish Parliamentary Coprorate Body Questions kicks off the second part of the afternoon.

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The government will then lead a debate marking International Women’s Day.