Go now...and don’t pick up the cash
Neil Bibby calls on shamed MSP Derek Mackay to resign
Disgraced MSP Derek Mackay has been lambasted for leaving the people of Renfrewshire North and West without a voice in parliament in the midst of a global pandemic.
The former finance secretary is this week set to receive a £12,000 golden pay out - despite failing to serve his constituents for the past three months.
The shamed SNP politician stood down as a minister in February after it emerged he bombarded a 16-year-old boy with 270 unwanted messages, including calling him ‘cute’ and inviting him to meet up.
Mr Mackay is automatically entitled to a £ 11,945 lump sum for losing his ministerial office.
The payment - the equivalent of three months’ cabinet salary - is paid out by the Scottish Parliament after 90 days, which will be this week.
But Neil Bibby, the Labour list MSP for Renfrewshire, said Mr Mackay should hand back the taxpayers’ cash.
He also demanded the father of two resign and allow the people of Renfrewshire North and West to elect a committed MSP to act on their behalf.
Mr Bibby told the Express: “Like many people in Renfrewshire, I don’t believe it is right that Mr Mackay is to receive this payout given his behaviour.
“The people of Renfrewshire North and West should get the opportunity to elect a new MSP they can trust as soon this crisis is over and it is safe to do so.”
Mr Bibby added: “My colleague Mary Fee and I have been helping more and more constituents from Renfrewshire North and West over the past few months.
“We are here to help and will continue to do all we can to support the people of Renfrewshire during this global pandemic. I would urge local residents to get in touch with us if we can assist with any matter.”
Derek Mackay has been unavailable for comment since he made an apology to the boy and his family.
Issued on February 6, he said he acted “foolishly” and took full responsibility for his actions.
Despite his absence from public life, he has continued to receive his MSP salary and has taken home more than £15,000 since February.
There is no mechanism to remove him from Holyrood and he remains entitled to his £64,470 wage as an MSP.
If he continues as an MSP until the next Holyrood elections, he will also be entitled to around £50,000 as a “resettlement grant”.
A Holyrood spokesman said: “Legislation states that, after a 90- day period, the equivalent of three months’ salary is payable on ceasing to hold a ministerial position. “That equates to £11,945. “The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body ( SPCB) has no discretion in relation to the making of payments.
“The act says the SPCB must pay the grant after 90 days.
“It is a matter for the member thereafter.”
A spokeswoman for the SNP said Mr Mackay was suspended from the party in February while it conducted its own investigation into his behaviour.
The party whip was also withdrawn on the same date.
But the spokeswoman said that Mr Mackay’s staff at his Renfrew office are continuing to deal with people’s enquiries and concerns.