Members of the Scottish parliament are to insure themselves against claims of unfair dismissal, it has emerged.

At present, any settlement reached in an industrial tribunal would be paid out of the £52,500 per year MSPs receive as a support allowance for their offices.

As a result, the corporate body of the Holyrood parliament has decided that an insurance policy should be taken out to cover any such costs.

"The corporate body requires MSPs to employ staff on the basis of a model contract which reflects the current good employment practice," said a parliament spokeswoman.

"As with any employer/employee relationship there is a risk of it breaking down.

"This modest insurance policy will ensure than in the event of any significant dispute, costs do not fall on the members support allowance or the public purse."

The decision follows the case of Mary Spowart, who was sacked from her post as a researcher for nationalist MSPs Kenny MacAskill and Tricia Marwick amid claims that she leaked information to the Scottish Socialist Party, an allegation she has always denied.

The two MSPs were also angered by her agreement to work for former SNP member Dorothy-Grace Elder.

Although Spowart had threatened to take legal action, a private settlement was reached.

The Holyrood spokeswoman insisted that the new policy would have to be closely observed or MSPs would have to pay any settlement from their own pockets.

"The service will include advice on employment law and best practice and covers all legal advice in the event of an unfair dismissal claim," she said.

"But it is not an automatic pay out. Members may not be covered where they have not followed advice on best practice."