MHAIRI Black has revealed that the threat of being an MP led to her installing bomb protection and panic alarms in her home.
It comes after the SNP deputy Westminster leader announced last week she would be standing down at the next General Election.
In her first interview since the announcement, she told Lorraine Kelly on STV that being an MP led to safety concerns from her family.
She said: “I see it when my parents come around to visit. They see the panic alarms in the house, they see the bomb bag over the letter box and it’s just a very stark reminder their daughter is a target for things.”
In her resignation statement, Black said that she had taken the decision to quit Parliament due to the “outdated, sexist and toxic” working environment.
The 28-year-old went into more detail with Kelly, adding that violence and bullying were also an issue.
She said: “I’ve seen people crying. I’ve seen people in tears. I’ve seen folk getting manhandled and dragged into lobbies.
“I’ve seen punch-ups. I’ve seen all sorts.
“The thing that’s upsetting most is that within Westminster nobody actively condones it, but equally most people accept that’s just the nature of parliament.
“And I think, why? If this was any other workplace you’d be huckled out. The police would be talking to you.”
Black also called the voting system in Wesminster "archaic".
She said: “Tomorrow we’ve got something like 15 votes, which is absolutely fine, but because of the archaic voting system where you walk through lobbies and corridors that adds up to about four hours where we’re doing nothing but walking through corridors.
“You’re queued up, everyone’s jam-packed into these lobbies, they put these doors at 45-degree angles and you go through one at a time.”
She went on: "I've always said that there is a place for tradition. But when tradition gets in the way of functionality, then it's a problem."
SNP MP John Nicolson agreed with her, tweeting: "This is spot on from @MhairiBlack.
"The voting system at Westminster is absurd. A complete, silly, waste of time."
A House of Commons spokesperson said: “Bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct have absolutely no place in Parliament, and we take any complaint of unacceptable behaviour extremely seriously.
“We remain committed to ensuring that lasting cultural change can be achieved here, and our Behaviour Code makes clear the standards of behaviour expected of everyone in Parliament, whether MPs, MPs' staff, members of the House of Lords or visitors.
“The Behaviour Code is supported by the Independent Complaints and Grievances Scheme (ICGS).”
