The resignation of Mark McDonald was described yesterday as the “most depressing” ministerial departure in Holyrood’s history.
The former childcare minister quit the Scottish Government last weekend and said that his “previous actions have been considered to be inappropriate”.
The Press and Journal revealed yesterday that a complaint had been made about text messages the Aberdeen Donside MSP sent to a woman, one of which was understood to allegedly contained a reference to a sex act.
During the official appointment of his successor Maree Todd in Holyrood yesterday, Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: “The circumstances attending this ministerial resignation do not require editorial comment from me in the chamber this afternoon.
“I note only—on behalf, I hope, of us all—that this is the most depressing ministerial resignation in our relatively short history.
“I thank the former minister for his service and note, in particular, the focus that he brought with real passion and feeling to the issues of children with autism. I thought that he did a commendable job in that regard.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “As minister for childcare and early years, Mark oversaw the initial work on our plans to double the provision of nursery education and the successful national roll-out, from this summer, of the baby box, an initiative of which I am extremely proud.
“However, as John Swinney said last week, politics must set the highest of standards. He urged men, in particular, to reflect on their behaviour, and Mark has done that.
“Mark’s departure did not come about in a manner that anyone would have wished, but it was the right decision.”
On the appointment of Highlands and Islands MSP Ms Todd, the SNP leader added: “Government has few greater long-term responsibilities than that of ensuring that all our young people get the best possible start in life. As such, the job that Maree is taking on is one of the most important in government. In doing so, she has my full confidence, and I hope that she also has the best wishes of every MSP across the chamber.”
