Double standards over behaviour

SIR, – It is curious that “Shamed MSP” Mark McDonald (Press and Journal, November 13) judges himself fit to represent his Donside constituents but unfit to continue as a Holyrood minister. Does working alongside the great and the good of the SNP require higher moral standards than representing the good folk of Aberdeen?

There may indeed be a “limit” to what he can say and if this matter occurred wholly within his private life, it should remain just that but if it is in any way related to his job as an MSP, it needs elaboration and Mr McDonald should probably resign.

It is good to know that “The 37-year-old, a married father-of-two, revealed that he spent the last week ‘thinking and reflecting’ about his actions” and one hopes he will give a week’s salary to an appropriate charity and claim no expenses for the time expended contemplating changing his behaviour, whilst shutting up shop as an MSP.

Recently these columns attracted those subscribing to the witch-hunt of Moray MP Douglas Ross for his extra-curricular activities, namely refereeing football matches which the SNP thought worthy of prime minister’s questions. Ross’s detractors it seems are less disturbed with a parliamentarian sending an unwelcome text message to a woman, which included a reference to a sex act.

A game of two halves or double standards from the Nationalists? Jonathen Lawrence, Batchen Lane, Elgin