‘I have behaved foolishly’: Scotland’s Finance Secretary Derek Mackay resigns over sending messages to 16-year-old boy
Video report by ITV News Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith
Scotland's Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has resigned after he admitted he "behaved foolishly", after reports he sent hundreds of messages to a 16-year-old boy.
Mr Mackay befriended the teenager on Facebook and Instagram and sent him 270 social media messages, the Scottish Sun reported.
In one message he is alleged to have asked "And our chats are between us?" and when the teenage boy agreed, the minister told him: "Cool, then to be honest I think you are really cute."
The Scottish newspaper alleges he contacted the teenager over a six-month period, and offered to take him to a rugby game and out to dinner.
The father-of-two stepped down just hours before he was due to unveil the Scottish Government's budget for the next financial year and it will now be presented by public finance minister Kate Forbes.
Mr Mackay has been suspended from the SNP and parliamentary group, pending an investigation, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs in Scottish Parliament.
She said she is "not aware of any further allegations" against Mr Mackay.
Mr Mackay said in a statement he takes "full responsibility" for his actions.
"I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry," the finance secretary said. "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."
Ms Sturgeon accepted Mr Mackay's resignation and said he had made "a significant contribution to government."
"However he recognises that his behaviour has failed to meet the standards required," Ms Sturgeon added.
The Sun published a long string of messages allegedly sent to the boy by the Renfrewshire North and West MSP.
In one message he is alleged to have asked “And our chats are between us?” and when the boy agrees told him: “Cool, then to be honest I think you are really cute.”
The newspaper alleges he contacted the teenager over a six-month period, and offered to take him to a rugby game and out to dinner.
In one of the messages the boy tells Mr Mackay he is 16.
Before Mr Mackay's resignation, the teenager’s mother called Nicola Sturgeon to act, telling The Sun: “A man like that is not supposed to say these sort of things to a boy.”
In 2017, then childcare minister Mark McDonald quit the Scottish Government after an investigation by the SNP accused him of "inappropriate behaviour", which was said to include the sending of inappropriate and unwanted text and social media messages.
Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said he had "always enjoyed" working with Mr Mackay, but he had "acted foolishly and is right to resign".
He tweeted: "This is, however, a huge blow for @NicolaSturgeon to lose such a key member of her Govt at such a crucial time - and one tipped as her successor."
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "Derek Mackay's behaviour was utterly unacceptable and his resignation was clearly necessary.
"But we are now just hours from publication of the Scottish Budget, in what were already unprecedented circumstances. It's vital now that all parties put the public interest first."
Police in Scotland are urging anyone with information to come forward.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We have not received any complaint of criminality, however, we are currently assessing available information from media reporting and would encourage anyone with information to please come forward.
"Police Scotland will always listen to anyone who wishes to seek advice or formally report a matter to us."