Shamed minister handed a £7,000 golden goodbye
SHAMED MSP Mark McDonald was handed a £7,000 golden goodbye after quitting his ministerial job, despite a woman claiming she was ‘frightened’ by his behaviour.
He was automatically given the taxpayer-funded ‘resettlement grant’ of a quarter of his £29,083 minister’s salary earlier this month.
The MSP was entitled to £7,270 after resigning as Childcare Minister in November when it emerged that he was at the centre of an SNP sleaze probe.
Following calls for a review into ministerial grants, it emerged last night that the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) will discuss the matter next week.
Yesterday, questions were raised over whether Mr McDonald should have been handed the money while SNP chiefs continue to investigate claims of sexual harassment.
The MSP resigned from Nicola Sturgeon’s government in November. He admitted that he had caused a woman ‘considerable distress and upset’ after sending her a lewd text message.
Initially, the First Minister backed the Aberdeen Donside MSP – even suggesting that he could one day return to a ministerial position.
But he was later suspended from the SNP and had the party whip withdrawn when ‘several’ fresh complaints were made. One woman claimed that the father-oftwo had left her ‘frightened’ following an encounter.
At the weekend it was revealed SNP chiefs have called in private investigators to lead a probe into the allegations against Mr McDonald.
This followed a complaint by a young woman who said she woke up in Mr McDonald’s hotel room bed – but could not remember how she had got there.
Former ministers are automatically paid the grant 90 days after leaving their post. It has now been more than 100 days since Mr McDonald quit.
Yesterday Scottish Labour’s business manager, Rhoda Grant, called on the SPCB to urgently consider how the law can be changed. She wants a review to end payments to ministers who have left their post following a scandal.
Miss Grant said: ‘It’s clear that the Scottish parliament must urgently review the law which allows this money to be given and appropriately reform it to avoid such circumstances in the future. I have asked Labour’s representative on the corporate body, Kezia Dugdale, to raise this with all members of the SPCB on behalf of the party, and seek to examine what reforms can be introduced.’
Conservative MSP Alexander Burnett said: ‘It’s important we look at these processes again to ensure this is not repeated. The public view of the parliament as a whole would worsen otherwise.’
A spokesman for the parliament said: ‘The SPCB will discuss this matter at its next meeting on Thursday.’
As well as the resettlement grant Mr McDonald is still earning his full MSP salary of £61,778, despite failing to turn up to parliament since November.
He has been working from his constituency office where people seeking a meeting with him have been asked to make an appointment before turning up.
However, this week he did not appear to be at the office.
Mr McDonald could not be reached for comment last night.
Both the SNP and the Scottish Government declined to respond.
‘Must urgently review the law’