Mackay’s folly: how the story broke

August 2019 - Feb 2020 Mr Mackay sends private messages to the teenager via Facebook and Instagram, according to a transcript published by The Scottish Sun. He repeatedly messages the boy, even when the child fails to respond. In September, he asks: “What age are you btw?” The boy tells him he is 16. Mr Mackay replies: “Oh right”.

The minister asks him to help deliver leaflets and invites him to a rugby reception at the Scottish Parliament. In December, he tells the boy he thinks he is “really cute”. Following that remark, he sends a further eight messages, but the boy does not respond.

2 February: The Scottish Sun finds out Mr Mackay has been messaging the teenager. The paper’s political editor told the BBC’S Podlitical podcast the paper was contacted by the teenager’s mother at the weekend, who only found out about the messages the previous week. 5 February: Mr Mackay has a photo opportunity planting trees in Fife ahead of unveiling his budget. He does not know journalists have learned of the messages. 5:50pm: The Scottish Sun’s editor contacts Nicola Sturgeon’s spokesman and details the story to him. The editor asks for a response from the government. 6:20pm: Mr Mackay returns to the chamber, followed by Ms Sturgeon a few minutes later. The Scottish Sun’s political editor says both the parliamentarians knew about the allegations at this stage.

7:23pm: The Scottish Government emailed the Scottish Sun’s journalists to demand “full evidence” and “justification” for intruding into Mr Mackay’s private life. The paper declined. 9:22pm: The Scottish Government tells the paper it will not comment on the story. 11pm: The Scottish Sun publishes the story on its website and the paper goes to print.