FIFE councillors will have to adhere to a new Code of Conduct that has been welcomed by the ethics watchdog.
The Standards Commission for Scotland has praised the 'progressive' changes approved by the Scottish Parliament.
The new provision reiterates that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated and would breach the code.
Professor Kevin Dunion, Convener of the SCS, said: "The Councillors’ Code of Conduct plays a vital role in setting out the standards councillors must apply when carrying out their working duties.
"There have been a number of high profile allegations of improper conduct by those in politics and show business so we are pleased to note that progressive changes have been made to the Code to reiterate that such behaviour is unacceptable."
The move follows the suspension of SNP councillor David MacDiarmid after comments he made about a taxi driver.
Mr MacDiarmid, a member of Fife Council's regulation and licensing committee, made comments deemed to have contravened the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, which states that elected members must ensure that they act fairly and also be seen to be acting fairly when taking decisions on such matters.
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