Why Scotland’s finance minister has resigned hours before budget
Derek Mackay steps down over messages to 16-year-old boy on social media
Scotland’s finance secretary has quit just hours before he was to deliver the nation’s budget, amid reports that he bombarded a 16-year-old boy with hundreds of messages on social media.
The Scottish Sun claims that Derek Mackay “pestered” the teenager on Instagram and Facebook after contacting him “out of the blue”.
Announcing his resignation, the Scottish National Party (SNP) minister said he took “full responsibility” for his “foolish actions”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What happened?
According to The Scottish Sun, 42-year-old Mackay contacted the teenager on Facebook in August and had been messaging him up until earlier this week.
The openly gay father-of-two - who came out after leaving his wife in 2013 - reportedly sent the boy around 270 messages on the social media network and Instagram.
The BBC says Mackay allegedly “invited him to dinner and to attend a rugby event” and also “contacted the boy several times on Christmas Day”. On another occasion, the MSP reportedly said the teen was “looking good with that new haircut”.
In one message, the politician is said to have asked: “Our chats are between us?”
When the boy replied that they were, Mackay reportedly responded: “Cool, then to be honest I think you are really cute.”
The messages continued even after the boy confirmed that he was 16 and warned Mackay not to “try anything”, The Scottish Sun claims.
In the wake of the allegations, Mackay announced on Thursday that he was handing in his resignation “with immediate effect”.
The MSP - who Sky News says “had been tipped as a possible successor to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon” - had served as finance secretary since 2016.
“I take full responsibility for my actions,” he 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.”
In a statement, Sturgeon said that Mackay had made “a significant contribution to government” but “recognises that his behaviour has failed to meet the standards required”.
What about the timing?
Mackay had been due at Holyrood today to deliver his government’s £43bn draft budget for the coming year, which is now being presented by his deputy, Kate Forbes, The Guardian reports.
His resignation “on the eve of the budget will be blow to Sturgeon”, according to the newspaper, which says that as well as setting out detailed spending plans on the climate crisis, infrastructure and public services, Mackay had been expected to “criticise the UK government’s decision to delay its budget until early March”.
The Treasury’s spending decisions influence about £20bn of spending by the Scottish government, so the delay had hindered Mackay’s ability to plan his budget.
Interim Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw says that as well as resigning from his role as finance secretary, Mackay should also consider standing down as an MSP, triggering a by-election in his Renfrewshire North and West seat.
Speaking to Sky News, Carlaw said: “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.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Cameroon bans reports on health of missing President Biya
Under the Radar Biya, 91, hasn't been seen in public in weeks, fuelling widespread speculation that he might be dead
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Jeff VanderMeer's 6 favorite books that dwell into the unknown
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Tana French, John le Carré, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Hostage taking didn't start on Oct. 7
Opinion It was always at the center of Iran's project to topple American power
By Mark Gimein Published
-
NHS tells Scots to walk like penguins
Tall Tales Walk like penguins in the snow, says NHS
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman solves 'rude neighbour' mystery
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Extreme ironing' blamed for Ben Nevis board
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Screaming Beatles fans embarrassed George Harrison’s mother
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
First crocodile virgin birth recorded
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Joggers told to wear helmets amid bird terror
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Otter accused of killing relocated Loch Lomond beavers
Speed Read The dead beaver kits were moved from Tayside to RSPB Scotland reserve last month
By The Week Staff Published
-
Trans prisoners: a ‘conflict of rights’?
Talking Point Case of where to house trans woman convicted of rape causes uproar in Scotland
By The Week Staff Published