Nicola Sturgeon has offered to meet the victim of sex pest SNP MP Patrick Grady to apologise in person.
The First Minister told MSPs today she had already written to the man to say sorry following the incident.
It comes after an independent investigation by Commons authorities found the Glasgow North MP had made unwanted sexual advances to an SNP staffer on a night out in October 2016.
READ MORE: SNP MP Patricia Gibson cleared of sexual misconduct
At the weekly session of FMQs today, Douglas Ross read out a comment from the victim in which he claimed there were "questions for the First Minister to answer" on the subject.
The Scottish Conservatives leader quizzed the SNP leader on why Grady had been temporarily suspended by her party for just two days.
Sturgeon responded: "In relation to the victim in this case, I have already in a written message said sorry directly to them.
"I have also confirmed my willingness to meet directly and personally with the victim in this case.
"When, and I hope it will, that interaction takes place I will sorry in person.
"It's not my behaviour that was investigated but I am leader of the SNP and I take that responsibility very seriously."
After the Commons verdict against Grady was published earlier this month a secret recording of a meeting of SNP MPs reacting to the decision was leaked to a London newspaper.
At the meeting, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford could be heard saying: “He’s [Grady] going to face a number of challenges over the short term and so he should have our absolute full support.
“I for one very much look forward to welcoming Patrick back into the group next week. I am sure that everybody here will agree.”
Asked by Ross what her reaction was to the recording, Sturgeon said: "I think it revealed part of what was wrong in that case.
"Some of the individuals who were recorded at that meeting have already said this themselves.
"I wasn't at the meeting, so whether this is an accurate overall reflection of the discussion, I can't comment on.
"But what I have heard suggests more concern was shown for the perpetrator of this behaviour than was shown to the victim of it.
"I think that is utterly unacceptable and that is something I will be very clear about."
Sturgeon continued: "We live in a society now, thankfully, where behaviour of this nature is not accepted and is not brushed under the carpet in the way it used to be."
Amy Callaghan, one of the SNP MPs present at the meeting, later apologised for remarks she had made.
The East Dunbartonshire MP was last week recorded at a meeting of SNP MPs: “We should be rallying together around [Patrick] to support him at this time.”
Callaghan acknowledged her comments and issued a “wholehearted apology” for the damage she had done.
She wrote: “I’m taking full accountability for the hurt and disappointment I’ve caused, not least of all to those directly impacted by sexual misconduct in this case.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
