'I'M running this campaign on my own merits' – one of Derek Mackay's office staff has distanced herself from her boss as she launches a bid to replace him in Holyrood.

Councillor Natalie Don was on maternity leave when the schoolboy texting scandal that cost Mackay his Cabinet job broke.

He remains the MSP for Renfrewshire North and West and the SNP has said it will ask local party members to choose from an all-female list of potential candidates for the 2021 Holyrood contest.

Now Don, SNP councillor for Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank, has become the first to declare an interest in the job.

The 31-year-old history graduate was elected in 2017 and gave birth to daughter Ailsa seven months ago.

On the Mackay row, she told The National: "I have been on maternity leave since January so I have been distant from this but I'm running this campaign on my own merits.

"I'm a working class woman, I'm a mum, I have lived in this area my whole life and I'm very passionate about the representative being somebody local."

She added: "I lived in a council house my whole life, I come from a single parent household, my dad passed away when I was young and it took a lot to get to where I am now.

"I also feel there should be more working class people in the Scottish Parliament, more people with varied life experiences and people who can truly represent their constituents." 

Don's council ward is within the Scottish Parliament constituency. She said: "It would be the honour of my life to represent the people of Renfrewshire North and West in our parliament.

"I have lived in this constituency my entire life, this is my home and the people here deserve a candidate with an abundance of local knowledge.

"At a time when community spirit is absolutely vital as we recover from the coronavirus, we need MSPs who understand the needs of our towns and villages and will fight to represent them.

"Renfrewshire and Inverclyde have been ignored by the UK establishment for long enough.

"I believe Scotland will become an independent country within the term of the next Parliament.

"As your MSP my focus will be on making sure the people of Renfrewshire North and West get that chance to have a choice on Scotland's future."

Her announcement, made on social media, was backed by SNP MP Mhairi Black, who said: "Very encouraging to see the level of talent we have.

"Knowing Natalie, she would be a fantastic advocate for Renfrewshire in the Scottish Parliament."

Other contenders are expected to emerge.

Dad-of-two Mackay was found to have sent 270 messages to a 16-year-old boy he called "cute".

He left government as the story broke and apologised for his conduct but has faced repeated calls to resign.