NICOLA Sturgeon said politicians must lead by example in stamping out on-line abuse.

The First Minister said it is never acceptable to politicians to be subject to abuse but that criticism is part of democracy and even insults were to be expected.

She said she had been the subject of abuse from Conservative Party members and they were not disciplined for it.

Ms Sturgeon said freedom of speech is a crucial part of democracy and the public has a right to make their views known to politicians.

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She responded to a question in Holyrood from Conservative MSP Rachel Hamilton, and said: “Abuse of any nature, whether it is on-line or otherwise, should not be tolerated against anyone whether they are in public life or not.

“We all have a responsibility here. Many of us in this chamber, not exclusively but I’m pretty sure particularly the women amongst us, will have experience particularly on-line, of abuse of the most horrendous nature.

“I have to say I’ve experienced it from members of your own party and some of them not called to account or disciplined about that.

She added: “We all have to start without own behaviour, calling out those within own parties and leading by example in the standards we set. "I think if we all do that we can play our part in contributing to a much healthier space for public discourse on social media.”

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Glasgow Shettleston SNP MSP, John Mason said that there was a balance to be struck and that politicians “had to be prepared to take a certain amount of insults adding he had certainly had a few along the way.

Ms Sturgeon replied:  “The ability to challenge politicians, criticise and on occasion insult, if not done abusively, is a healthy part of democracy. But it is important we all contribute to public discourse that is respectful.”