NICOLA STURGEON said today that she was “absolutely horrified” by pictures of a Scottish government whistleblower gagged and taped to a chair.

DeeAnn Fitzpatrick said she had been the victim of bullying and misogyny while working at the offices of Marine Scotland in Scrabster, Caithness.

Shocking images show her tied up and gagged with tape in an incident alleged to have taken place after she blew the whistle on her treatment. She is now pursuing the case at an employment tribunal.