Mackay case shows kids need better protection

On all of the known facts, there is nothing about Derek Mackay’s behaviour that qualifies as criminal.

That does not mean the action taken as a result of his relentless pursuit of a 16-yearold boy should be limited to workplace censure.

The purpose of further investigation is not to heap more punishment and humiliation on a politician who had the world at his feet but has now lost the many trappings which come from high office.

Rather it is to establish just how Scotland’s finance secretary could groom a teenage boy in plain sight.

Because for all that there are elements of tragedy around his fall from grace, only one real victim has emerged – the 16-year-old Mackay targeted in a six-month campaign.

There can be no doubt that grooming is what was being attempted by the minister.

The messages revealed by the Scottish Sun last week demonstrate extremely unsettling language being used by a powerful older man to a naive schoolboy.

Pol ice Scotland has begun to investigate but it may prove that it does not gather enough evidence to charge Mackay with any crime.

For that , among ot her reasons , a parallel inquiry should be started by a key agency responsible for child protection.

Disclosure Scotland has the power to make recommendations over an individual’s suitability to work not just with children but over-16s in full-time education.

Mack ay ’ s ca se should be referred to it immediately under the auspices of its Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme.

It should be asked to investigate Mackay’s case on its own merits but the involvement should not stop there.

It appears to be the case that MSPs are not checked by the body as a matter of routine. That must surely now happen.

The point has been nailed by Kieran Aitken, the organiser of an event for schoolkids attended by Mackay while in the middle of his sleazy pursuit of the boy.

Mr Aitken did not think twice about a sk ing schoo l s to send pupi l s , unaccompanied, to a city centre “life story” event with Mackay. After all, Mackay was a Scottish Government minister.

It is likely that most parents who allowed their children to attend will feel angry and compromised.

This case has demonstrated that predatory behaviour can occur in plain sight – even when the perpetrator is under the full glare of the media spotlight.

It appears MSPs are not checked as a matter of routine. That must surely now happen