Mr Brown said events had surprised many people at Holyrood. Disgraced Derek Mackay is still following the schoolboy who he pestered with hundreds of messages on social media. It is “difficult” to see how former finance secretary Derek Mackay can continue as an MSP in the wake of the scandal over his behaviour with a teenage schoolboy, the SNP’s depute leader has stated ... Emma Samms still ‘massively affected’ by long Covid. Derek Mackay should step down as an MSP. He has been suspended by … Read about our approach to external linking. “People will be wondering why SNP government ministers are being held to different standards. Derek Mackay has not behavied in the way we would expect. Derek Mackay resigned from his cabinet post and was suspended from the party following allegations he messaged a 16-year-old boy hundreds of times. Read about our approach to external linking. More on this story. “We must support the young person and his family, who have been targeted by a person in a position of power. BREAKING NEWS: Scandal-hit Derek Mackay suspended from the SNP Mr Mackay remains entitled to his £63,579 salary because there is no mechanism to remove him from Holyrood. This means Mr Mackay cannot be forced to stand down. The actress contracted coronavirus in … MACKAY'S LAW Tory MSP launches bid for new law to kick out AWOL politicians like Mackay. Sun 9 Feb 2020 09.30 EST 15.10 EST Derek Mackay, 42, has been suspended from the SNP but he cannot be forced to quit as an MSP. Shamed MSP Derek Mackay is no-show at ferries fiasco inquiry as Nicola Sturgeon faces calls to give evidence in his place by Peter Swindon March 1, 2020, 12:01 pm "I was completely unaware of that and it came as a shock to people throughout the party. Please register or log in to comment on this article. It is "very difficult" to see how Derek Mackay can continue as an MSP, SNP depute leader Keith Brown has said. Disgraced Scottish finance secretary Derek Mackay claimed more than £4,400 in expenses for a month AFTER quitting Cabinet for bombarding boy, 16, with 270 texts. A former member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), he has served as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Renfrewshire North and West since 2011. The last thing the party wants is Derek going on to social security. New files show the former finance secretary claimed rent on expenses despite not being seen at Holyrood since February. The shamed MSP stepped down as finance secretary … The decision will be made by the first minister. Mr Brown said: "I think everyone who watched the budget last week saw the performance of Kate Forbes. Alex Salmond's lawyers will not be ordered to hand over evidence, committee confirms, Why things could be about to get worse for Nicola Sturgeon - Brian Monteith. Assuming everything is as it appears, there is no question that Derek Mackay must resign as an MSP. The youngster has since told the paper he has spoken to police about the messages. Mackay is, however, still currently as an SNP MSP. He has two school-age sons to think about. According to today's report an SNP source has said the party wants him to resign - but not without the financial settlement which is normally paid to MSPs when they stand down at an election. It is not something over which the SNP or the government have any control. Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, revealed on Thursday morning Mackay had stood down from her government hours before he was due to deliver next year’s budget. Nothing but a University Dropout. " Mr Mackay quit his Cabinet post on Budget Day last week when we revealed he bombarded a schoolboy with 270 creepy messages. "As things stand Derek Mackay is a suspended member of the SNP and there will be a process through which we will have to go and I think it's better that I don't comment on that just now. Remove Derek Mackay as MSP for Renfrewshire North & West. Derek Mackay remains an MSP but stood down as minister in early February. He has abused his position of power with a vulnerable adolescent. Derek Mackay has still been claiming for an Edinburgh flat despite not being at Holyrood in months, according to reports. Mackay was educated in Kirklandneuk Primary School and Renfrew High School. If Mr Mackay stays on until the 2021 elections he would be entitled to a £50,000 resettlement grant, based on his ten years as an MSP. SHAMED MSP DEREK Mackay has now claimed more than £8,500 in parliamentary expenses sign he resigned in disgrace over a sleaze scandal, it has emerged. Willie Rennie, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader said it was a "troubling series of events, and not just for the family" and that Mr Mackay had to go as an MSP. Mr Mackay dramatically quit the Scottish Government after it emerged he had sent hundreds of messages to a 16-year-old - including some in which he called the teenager cute'' The private Facebook and Instagram posts show a wave of contact between August 2, … He is automatically entitled to a severance payment of £11,945 - the equivalent of three months' Cabinet salary … He said: "I think it's very difficult to see how he can continue but it is his decision.". Shamed MSP Derek Mackay speaks publicly for first time since text message scandal Mackay quit his senior Scottish Government role in February after it … No by-election was called for by the SNP … Nicola Sturgeon has said that she understands Mr Mackay is receiving "medical treatment" for his mental health and said that in the wake of Caroline Flack's suicide, the hashtag #BeKind was "trending for a reason". Derek Mackay (born 1977) is a Scottish politician who served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution from 2016 to 2018 and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work from 2018 to 2020. Getty Images via Getty Images. Mr Mackay is reported to have called the youngster "cute" as well as offering to take him to a rugby game and out to dinner. SNP politician forced to resign as finance secretary hours before he was to deliver budget Mackay stepped down from the Scottish Government after it emerged he had been messaging a 16-year-old boy. Shamed MSP Derek Mackay finally turned up in Renfrewshire yesterday - three months after he quit in a text message scandal involving a 16-year-old schoolboy. It is difficult'' to see how former finance secretary Derek Mackay can continue as an MSP in the wake of the scandal over his behaviour with a teenage schoolboy, the SNP's depute leader has stated. Mr Brown also backed Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes to be the new finance minister following Mr Mackay's departure. He said: "I didn't think what he was doing was a crime, but I knew it was wrong and should be highlighted.". Derek Mackay: Shamed MSP not seen at Holyrood for months. Keith Brown: 'difficult to see' how Derek Mackay can continue as an MSP. VideoMeet the gay conscript who turned trauma into art, 'My family didn’t want me to exist' Video'My family didn’t want me to exist', 'I lost £400,000 to fake Elon Musk giveaway scam'. The local authority where he began his political career, Renfrewshire Council, has recently passed a motion unanimously that he should quit as an MSP. Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace from the government when he was caught sending inappropriate messages to a 16-year old schoolboy but still hasn't resigned as an MSP. He attended the University of Glasgow for some time but dropped out to concentrate on local politics, first being elected at just 21 … According to The Scottish Sun, SNP senior officials have held discussions about ensuring Mr Mackay retires due to ill health, as a result of the impact on his mental health of the revelations he was pestering a 16-year-old boy via social media for six months. Get Del boy our of his seat. . Scottish Labour Party leader Richard Leonard said Mackay had acted "beyond ‘foolishly’." Derek Mackay must give evidence to the Holyrood inquiry into the £230 million ferry fiasco despite resigning in disgrace, MSPs insist. All the latest news and updates on Derek Mackay, former SNP MSP and Finance Secretary. 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare' Video, 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare', Meet the gay conscript who turned trauma into art. Derek Mackay still claiming for flat despite not being at Holyrood 'since Feb' Exclusive. Who truly was the most dishonest president? Derek Mackay will not face criminal charges over hundreds of social media messages he sent to a 16-year-old boy. He added: "His actions are predatory and must be thoroughly investigated. It is “difficult” to see how former finance secretary Derek Mackay can continue as an MSP in the wake of the scandal over his behaviour with a teenage schoolboy, the SNP’s depute leader has stated . ©JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. WhatsApp icon. Mr MacKay was suspended by the SNP but remains an independent MSP on a salary of £64,470 per year and is not expected to stand for reelection. He said: "It's about the standards we expect as an MSP. ". Under the Pension Act 2009, the parliament's pension fund trustees would have to be satisfied that Mr Mackay met six conditions, as set out under the rules, to qualify for the payment, and he may even have to undergo a medical examination by a medical practitioner nominated by them. Speaking on the BBC's Politics Scotland programme, Keith Brown said it was an extremely serious situation for the boy and that it was being treated "very seriously" by the Scottish government and the first minister. Several European countries are suspending use of the Covid-19 vaccination as a precaution. Since then, Mr Mackay has not been seen in the Scottish Parliament and has been removed from the SNP. Mr Mackay resigned as finance secretary hours before he was due to present the Scottish budget. Copy link. There is currently no recall process (where a member is effectively sacked as an MSP) at the Scottish Parliament except in cases where an MSP is given a custodial sentence of 12 months or more. "Every mental health concern should be taken seriously but the SNP must also face up to this situation and deal with it responsibly, not pretend that the only victim in all of this was Mr Mackay himself. New files show the former finance secretary claimed rent on expenses despite not being seen at Holyrood since February. While the SNP suspended his membership, parliamentary rules mean that parties cannot force individuals to resign their seats. But he can't come back to Parliament so that's where the ill health comes into play. You could see the shock in people not just in the SNP, through the other parties as well. Sign and share. He said the party could not force him to step down as an MSP. Derek Mackay's resignation is a huge headache for the SNP in the long term After Mackay resigned from his senior government role over “predatory” behaviour with a … Pressure is mounting on former finance secretary Derek Mackay to quit parliament, following further allegations about his conduct. Shamed MSP Derek Mackay still claiming for rent in Edinburgh. Ms Forbes took on the task of setting out the government's tax and spend plans for the next year on Thursday with just a few hours' notice. He said: "I wasn't aware of his text habits and this communicating with people of that age. Share via. It is “difficult” to see how former finance secretary Derek Mackay can continue as an MSP in the wake of the scandal over his behaviour with a teenage schoolboy, the SNP’s depute leader has stated. Resigned from cabinet As a current MSP Mr Mackay is entitled to claim an "Edinburgh accommodation provision" and there is no rule that he must attend parliament to … A former member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), he has served as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Renfrewshire North and West since 2011. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more The private Facebook and Instagram posts show a wave of contact between August 2, … If he stays until the 2021 election he gets a resettlement grant like any other resigning MSP. What Derek Mackay has said in Parliament. Mackay was forced to resign as finance secretary and was then suspended from the SNP, pending an investigation, after reports emerged he had sent hundreds of messages to a 16-year-old boy. It's time for him to resign." SNP politician Derek Mackay’s messages to a 16-year-old boy have been revealed. Shamed MSP Derek Mackay still claiming for rent in Edinburgh. Keith Brown said any decision to quit as the MSP for Renfrewshire North and West would have to come from Mr Mackay. Derek Mackay's resignation is a huge headache for the SNP in the long term However, even though Mackay was brought down by the scandal, he is still listed as following the boy on Instagram . Mozambique militants 'beheading children', Kim Jong-un's sister to US: Don't 'cause a stink'. A motion tabled by Labour group leader Eddie Devine read: "Renfrewshire Council believes that Derek Mackay should resign with immediate effect as MSP for … Derek Mackay (born 1977) is a Scottish politician who served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution from 2016 to 2018 and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work from 2018 to 2020. The MSP … These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. Police Scotland said they had not received any complaint of criminality, but were currently assessing available information. They chose to hide as the initial strategy, in the hope that the media scrum moves on. Shamed MSP Derek Mackay breaks cover. However he has still been picking up his taxpayer-funded £63,579-a-year pay packet. However Scottish Conservative deputy leader Annie Wells said: “If Derek Mackay had been in any other line of work, he’d have been sacked for gross misconduct. And that is what Mackay did, he ducked for cover. If he retired on ill health he would be entitled to a similar level of grant. © 2021 BBC. Mr Mackay, who represents Renfrewshire North and West has not attended any surgeries since his resignation. Derek Mackay decided to stay, as per the norm, the first thing a scandal laden SNP MSP does is 'go to ground'. Derek Mackay, 42, has been suspended from the SNP but he cannot be forced to quit as an MSP. The party allegedly wants Mr Mackay to be able to resign as an MSP, with "as little damage as possible" and to prevent him "going on social security". Derek Mackay, is under intense pressure to quit as a member of the Scottish parliament after being forced to resign as finance secretary for sending hundreds of messages to a 16-year-old boy. Everyone saw how well she handled that. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Any decision on his future is for him to make when he is well enough to do so.". change.org. Derek Mackay has still been claiming for an Edinburgh flat despite not being at Holyrood in months, according to reports. ", Scots finance secretary quits over messages to boy, Police speak to boy sent messages by Derek Mackay, Government denies trying to block Mackay claims, No changes to tax rates in Scottish budget, Experts assess AstraZeneca blood clot reports. Both the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour have already said Mr Mackay, who has not been seen in public since the scandal broke on February 5 but continues to be paid his MSP salary, should resign. By Dan Vevers. Mackay sent a 16-year-old boy 270 private messages Credit: PA: Press Association She said: “For any SNP politician to defend Derek Mackay’s predatory targeting of … Derek Mackay must give evidence to the Holyrood inquiry into the £230 million ferry fiasco despite resigning in disgrace, MSPs insist. “It does a huge disservice to the cause of mental health awareness that the SNP feels it can use it to hide behind Mr Mackay’s despicable behaviour, and the SNP’s murky handling of it.”, An SNP spokesperson said: "Derek Mackay is receiving appropriate medical treatment. Want to join the conversation? 1988 v 2021: A tale of two Myanmar protests, The racquet sport experiencing a pandemic boom, 'Electoral autocracy': Indian democracy downgraded, Prince Philip leaves hospital after a month1, Experts assess AstraZeneca blood clot reports2, Mum 'used deepfake to frame cheerleading rivals'3, Kim Jong-un's sister to US: Don't 'cause a stink'4, Rare ancient scroll found in Israel Cave of Horror5, Mozambique militants 'beheading children'6, Bond villain actor Yaphet Kotto dies at 817, Michelle Obama voices sympathy for Meghan on race8, PC accused of Sarah Everard murder in court9, Jet fuel from waste 'drastically lowers' emissions10. SNP politician Derek Mackay’s messages to a 16-year-old boy have been revealed. Derek Mackay resigned from his cabinet post and was suspended from the party following allegations he messaged a 16-year-old boy hundreds of times. Video, Meet the gay conscript who turned trauma into art, 'My family didn’t want me to exist' Video, Prince Philip leaves hospital after a month, Mum 'used deepfake to frame cheerleading rivals', Rare ancient scroll found in Israel Cave of Horror, Bond villain actor Yaphet Kotto dies at 81, Michelle Obama voices sympathy for Meghan on race, PC accused of Sarah Everard murder in court, Jet fuel from waste 'drastically lowers' emissions, the teenager had spoken to police about the messages, Scottish government denies trying to block newspaper claims, Derek Mackay's downfall: How events unfolded. Derek Mackay SNP MSP lied over Forth Road Bridge repairs and Scottish Budget Derek Mackay's qualification's to be Scottish Finance Secretary ? The SNP's deputy leader says it is "very difficult" to see how the ex-finance secretary can continue to serve as an MSP. George Floyd death: How will jurors be selected? Derek Mackay could quit as MSP with £50k ill-health pay-off The SNP is planning to allow shamed former finance secretary Derek Mackay to resign as an MSP … It followed claims, first published in The Scottish Sun, that he had sent 270 messages to the 16-year-old boy over a six-month period on Instagram and Facebook. One month on from his shock … Derek Mackay has quit as Finance Secretary but must now resign as an MSP (Picture: John Devlin) Short of a dramatic turn of events, the former Finance Secretary should not remain in Holyrood. This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Disgraced former finance secretary Derek Mackay should step down as an MSP, SNP and opposition politicians have said. And Mackay, … It emerged on Saturday the teenager had spoken to police about the messages. "If he just resigns now, he leaves with nothing. 1st Oct 2020. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion. He added: "As for Derek Mackay's own future, that's something that only he can decide. 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare' Video'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare', Meet the gay conscript who turned trauma into art. He is currently serving as an independent MSP …