LONDON (AP) — Scotland's first minister has expressed horror at the image of a Scottish government employee gagged and taped to a chair in an alleged bullying incident by her colleagues.

Nicola Sturgeon has ordered a review into the case of DeeAnn Fitzpatrick, who has complained of bullying and misogyny while working at the offices of Marine Scotland.

Her case is before an employment tribunal, but the image of the incident obtained by the BBC has caused shock.

The Scottish leader says she was "absolutely horrified at the photograph that has been in the media over the past 24 hours."

Sturgeon says "bullying, abuse, sexism, racism have no place in any workplace and let me be very clear today: they will not be tolerated within the Scottish Government or within our agencies."