February 2020. The deputy leader of the Scottish National party, Keith Brown, said it would be “very difficult” for Derek Mackay to remain at Holyrood after repeatedly texting a 16-year-old boy. Brown said the former finance secretary, who resigned in disgrace on Wednesday, was in an extremely serious situation after admitting he had contacted the schoolboy repeatedly on Facebook and Instagram. Mackay, 42, was suspended from the SNP on Thursday by Nicola Sturgeon, the party leader and first minister, but Brown told BBC’s Politics Scotland programme the party could not force Mackay to quit as an MSP. “As to whether he stays in the parliament, it is entirely his decision,” Brown said. “I think it’s very difficult to see how he can continue but it’s his decision.” Mackay resigned as finance secretary on Wednesday night on the eve of his annual budget announcement, after the Scottish Sun published the details of 270 unsolicited messages he sent the teenager. They included messages calling the boy “really cute”, saying he was “looking good with that new haircut”, inviting him to dinner and asking him to confirm their messages remained private.
Feb 2020. The SNP and Derek Mackay
