SNP under pressure to remove whip from Derek Mackay following resignation

The Tories have already called for the former Finance Secretary to resign as an MSP. Labour described the politician as "predatory". 

A report in the Sun detailed how the politician – once seen as a possible successor to Nicola Sturgeon – had contacted the boy out of the blue before bombarding him with messages on Facebook and Instagram over a six month period.

The First Minister is due to make a statement this morning before FMQs at noon.

Mackay had been due to deliver the Scottish Government’s budget this afternoon, but the SNP administration’s spending plans will now be set out by junior minister Kate Forbes.

Mackay, a 42-year-old dad-of-two, had called the young man, some 24-years his junior, “cute” and invited him to dinner and offered to pay for the boy to accompany him to the rugby.

He also liked snaps of the youngster in his sports gear and even sent direct messages to him on Christmas Day.

In one conversation, the politician even asked: “Are our chats between us?” before telling the teen: “I think you are really cute.”

Mackay announced his resignation early on Thursday morning saying he took “full responsibility” for his actions.

He added: “I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry. I apologise unreservedly to the individual involved and his family.

“I spoke last night with the First Minister and tendered my resignation with immediate effect.

"Serving in government has been a huge privilege and I am sorry to have let colleagues and supporters down."

Accepting his resignation, Nicola Sturgeon said Mackay had recognised that his behaviour had “failed to meet the standards required.”

Interim Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said Mackay’s behaviour was "totally inappropriate", and constituted “the grooming of a young individual”.

He told Sky News: "The whole Parliament will be in shock.

"I think we are all bewildered that Derek could have undertaken such a colossal lapse of judgement.

"The First Minister is going to be making a statement before First Minister's Questions this morning.

"I don't think she believes that simply accepting his resignation from Government is an end to the matter.

"I think there will be huge question to be asked, parents who will be concerned, and I think many colleagues in parliament who will wonder if Mr Mackay can continue to enjoy the confidence of his constituents or Parliament.

"It's a huge blow to politics in Scotland."

Carlaw compared the resignation with the case of Mark MacDonald who was forced to quit as children's minister a few years ago after sending inappropriate text messages.

"The First Minister then immediately suspended the individual from the Scottish National Party. He now sits as an independent member.

"I think having set that bar if the First Minister thinks, however illustrious Mr Mackay was to the Scottish Government, that there can be different standards set now, and that she can simply accept his resignation from Government.

"I don't think that that will be regarded by many as appropriate and effective action. Parliament has a responsibility to set the tone and protect the reputation of politics in Scotland."

McDonald, the MSP for Aberdeen Donside was forced to stand down as childcare minister in November 2017 after sending an inappropriate social media message to a female member of staff employed by another MSP. He was later suspended by the party.

Mackay is, however, still currently as an SNP MSP.

Scottish Labour Party leader Richard Leonard said Mackay had acted "beyond ‘foolishly’."

He added: "His actions are predatory and must be thoroughly investigated. He has abused his position of power with a vulnerable adolescent.

“The thoughts of everyone at Scottish Labour are with the schoolboy involved and his family.

“The nature and the gravity of these allegations demands decisive action. “

The SNP has been approached for comment.