NICOLA Sturgeon has addressed the SNP's handling of an investigation into the inappropriate behaviour of former childcare minister Mark McDonald.
The First Minister and party leader said that while any party would want to reflect on such circumstances, the process followed had been "robust".
Sturgeon has made clear her view that McDonald should step down as an MSP after he resigned from the SNP on Tuesday.
READ: Mark McDonald's full statement as he leaves the SNP
The MSP for Aberdeen Donside has apologised for causing "hurt and offence" to two women but said he intends to stay on at Holyrood as an independent MSP.
Sturgeon was asked what lessons her party could learn from the case on a visit to Portobello, Edinburgh, ahead of International Women's Day on Thursday.
She said: "I think any party who has a politician who ends up in this position will want to look reflectively at that but I was determined, and the party was determined, to make sure that a robust process was followed.
READ MORE: Sturgeon heaps pressure on Mark McDonald to stand down as MSP
"We ensured that the investigation was independent, that it took the time to thoroughly investigate the allegations that were made and, of course, those findings were shared with Mark McDonald earlier this week.
"I think it's important that these processes are in place and that is what the SNP made sure of.
"Supporting women to come forward, making sure that a robust process is in place, allowing an investigation to happen and then making sure that nothing is swept under the carpet in that – I think these are things all of us have a duty, in circumstances that are very difficult and not of our choosing to be in, that we seek to do the right thing."
SNP bosses launched an investigation into reports of inappropriate behaviour by the married father-of-two, with allegations made by three women.
The findings were shown to McDonald on Monday, with investigators concluding the MSP's inappropriate behaviour had been "deliberate in nature" and he should have known not to act in this manner.
The behaviour is said to include sending inappropriate and unwanted text and social media messages, causing distress to women through his unwanted attention and exploiting his position of power, with the investigation finding there had been "persistent behaviour over an extended period of time".
McDonald has been absent from the Scottish Parliament since the allegations against him were first made in November 2017 but plans to return next week.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here