A WOMAN has pled guilty after being charged for threatening and abusive behaviour against a female MSP.
Scottish Labour’s Monica Lennon spoke with The Daily Record after Elspeth Wood was convicted for licking her neck, grabbing her and making a sexual comment.
“I was out canvassing, knocking doors, chatting to people about their voting intentions, answering questions from constituents,” Lennon told the newspaper.
"It was a fairly normal campaign session and everything changed when there was a disgusting encounter with an individual. It was a situation that escalated quickly. I became very fearful and it was about trying to get out of that situation to protect myself and other people around me."
Wood pled guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court and will be sentenced next month.
The Labour MSP (above) went on: “My focus was on trying to remain calm and de-escalate the situation, but there was also a very quick realisation that this could become more dangerous. It was unprovoked and it was not something I could have predicted.”
Lennon added that she has “major concerns” about the safety of women in politics and called for more protection.
“You only have to look at how female MSPs are treated online,” she said.
“The harassment and abuse is disgraceful. We need a major culture change to protect women because what happening just now is unacceptable.”
Lennon also said of the incident: “It hasn’t dampened my enthusiasm but it has challenged my spirit and my confidence has been impacted.
“The main thing is it fires me up to go out there and fight for people’s rights and to make sure every workplace and community is safe. People deserve to be able to walk out their front door and not look over their shoulder.”
Lennon also said that more responsibility also has to be taken by political parties.
