SERVE & PROTECT

A FEMALE MSP who was licked on the neck in the street while campaigning has demanded greater protection for women in politics.

- PAUL HUTCHEON

Monica Lennon opened up to the Record after thug Elspeth Wood was convicted for licking her neck, grabbing her and making a sexual comment as she campaigned in her constituency.

Lennon said: "It was a violation."

The MSP decided to speak out amid a growing torrent of online abuse aimed at female politicians and increasing threats of real-world violence.

She said: "I have major concerns about the safety of women in politics.

"You only have to look at how female MSPs are treated online. The harassment and abuse is disgraceful.

"We need a major culture change to protect women because what happening just now is unacceptable."

Wood, 57, pled guilty to threatening or abusive behaviour in Hamilton days after then-prime minister Rishi Sunak called a general election in May.

Lennon and her Labour colleagues had been campaigning for their party in a town she has represented for a decade firstly as a councillor and then as MSP.

According to the court charge sheet, Wood made a sexual remark towards Lennon, placed her arms around the MSP, embraced her tightly and "repeatedly" licked her on the neck.

In an exclusive interview, the 44-year-old mum recalled the traumatic experience, saying: "I was out canvassing, knocking doors, chatting to people about their voting intentions, answering questions from constituents.

"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."