ONE in three MSPs interviewed in a new poll say they have received a death threat since taking office.
Almost three-quarters of respondents to the survey, conducted by Holyrood Magazine, said they have feared for their safety since being elected.
The research was carried out after Joanna Cherry made a complaint to the police about an alleged threat of sexual violence, with a man subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Some 67 MSPs, out of a total of 129, were interviewed from February 4-9.
Some 33% of the parliamentarians, including just under half of female MSPs, said they have been the subject of a death threat since entering Holyrood.
One in 10 have received a threat of sexual violence. All those who gave this response were female, with 29% reporting such an incident.
More than two-thirds of the MSPs (70%) have feared for their safety since being elected, while a similar number (69%) have had to contact police following a threat to them, their staff or their family.
READ MORE: Joanna Cherry reveals she may quit politics
One female MSP told Holyrood Magazine: “I’ve known for most of my adult life that most women, at some point, experience some form of men’s violence. I’m now utterly dismayed to say that a sizeable number of females I work with have received credible death threats – I know of three in just the last couple of weeks.”
A male MSP who has received homophobic abuse added: “Someone once followed me home from work, banged on my door and the police gave me a panic alarm to carry around.
“My regional office was fitted with extra security and had panic buttons installed.”
The Scottish Parliament says it has beefed up security measures since the death of Labour MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by an extreme right-wing terrorist in 2016.
A Holyrood spokesperson said: “Jo Cox’s death made us all look again at Members’ safety and, regrettably, the threat elected representatives face on a daily basis.
“Over this session of parliament, the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) has funded security enhancements to more than 80% of constituency and regional offices based on Police Scotland advice. We have also made lone worker devices available to Members and their staff, plus home security surveys are available to MSPs, which are undertaken by Police Scotland.
“The Scottish Parliament’s Security Office and Police Scotland provide advice and support to Members on a range of security issues, proactively and in response to any concerns raised.
“Work is already at an advanced stage by our Security Office to ensure the new intake of MSPs have immediate access to our personal safety services.”
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