A Glasgow MSP has said he has been the victim of assaults on NHS workers as he called for tougher sentences for those found guilty of attacks.

Sandesh Gulhane, Conservative MSP for Glasgow, who is also a doctor, called for the rule that presumes against short term sentences to be ditched for those who assault emergency staff.

Glasgow Times:

He asked Keith Brown, the Scottish Government Justice Secretary, if he would "support revoking the presumption against short prison sentences for NHS staff assaults so that those criminals can face true justice?”

Gulhane had told him that less than a third of those convicted under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 for assaulting an emergency worker went to prison.

He said: “Those workers have supported the country through a pandemic and put their lives at risk to help, and we clapped for them. They deserve better protection.

Brown said that the relevant legislation was backed by the SNP and other parties and that only the Conservatives opposed it.

Glasgow Times:

He said: “We will therefore not take lessons on the fact that we have to look after our emergency workers. This Government has also introduced an extension to the categories of emergency workers. We are very concerned, but we have a very good track record in using the law to protect emergency workers.”

After the exchange in Holyrood Gulhane revealed after the exchange that he had been the victim of assault at work and accused the Justice secretary of playing politics.

He said: “I've been attacked and assaulted at work as a doctor. It's scary plus hard to return after.

“I'm voicing a legitimate issue facing NHS staff.

“Why play politics Cabinet Secretary? Surely you'd listen to someone at the coalface, not just dismiss me.”

Brown had said those given community sentences remained around 30% for the last 10 years.