Disgraced childcare minister in firing line of MSPS
THE former childcare minister who quit the Scottish Government and the SNP over alleged sexual misconduct is facing potential sanctions from fellow MSPS.
Mark Mcdonald, who now sits as the Independent member for Aberdeen Donside, will learn his fate this week after a closed-door meeting of Holyrood’s standards committee.
The committee is expected to consider a report from the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life, which has been investigating Mr Mcdonald’s conduct since March.
SNP MSP James Dornan complained one of his staff had been a victim of unwanted attention from Mr Mcdonald and that she had been hospitalised as a result.
The Sunday Times reported the commissioner had made some critical findings about Mr Mcdonald, but also cleared him of other complaints. Based on the full report, the committee will decide whether to recommend sanctions – potentially including suspension – subject to a vote by the full parliament.
Mr Mcdonald, 38, resigned as a minister in November after admitting inappropriate behaviour, which he initially downplayed as a misguided attempt at humour.
An SNP investigation concluded he had deliberately and persistently pestered two women with “inappropriate and unwanted” messages, paid them “unwanted attention causing distress” and was guilty of “exploiting his position of power”. He left the SNP the day before the findings of the SNP report were made public.
After an absence of six months, he then returned to Holyrood as an Independent, meaning he stands to collect around £200,000 in wages before the next Holyrood election. He has already received an automatic £7000 golden goodbye for leaving ministerial office.
Mr Mcdonald said: “Given that the process is still on-going it would not be appropriate for me to comment.”
A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: “The committee will follow due process and set out its views on the Commissioner’s report at its earliest opportunity. Until then, it would not be appropriate to offer any other comment.”