The invisible MSP
Shamed Mackay goes to ground and snubs his constituents
SHAMED Derek Mackay is facing fresh demands to stand down as an MSP after he failed to turn up for surgeries in his constituency.
The disgraced former finance secretary has not been seen in public since his resignation over inappropriate messages sent to a teenage schoolboy.
Although no longer a Minister, and suspended from the SNP pending an investigation, the Scottish Government does not have the power to axe him as an MSP. Last night, opposition politicians called on Mr Mackay – who continues to receive his MSP salary – to reconsider his position.
Scottish Tory chief whip Maurice Golden said: ‘The ability to hold surgeries and listen to constituents is a basic requirement of the job.
His refusal to stand down as an
MSP while cancelling surgeries raises serious questions.’
Councillor Eddie Devine, leader of the Labour group on Renfrewshire Council, said his party has now submitted a motion calling for Mr
Mackay to stand down. He said: ‘He should do the right thing and go now. His constituents are not happy about his behaviour and the fact he’s in hiding.
‘It’s not like him at all. He’s always out and about in his constituency, telling everyone how good he is at his job. Now he’s Mr Invisible.’
He added: ‘There should be real consequences for politicians who do what he’s done and cross a line.’
Mr Mackay, who had been widely tipped as a future first minister, came out as gay when he left his wife in 2013. He quit on February 5, hours before he was due to present the Scottish Government’s Budget.
He and his partner Fraser Bell, with whom he shares a home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, have not been seen in public since.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West cancelled surgeries in Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir and Erskine last week, as well as one yesterday morning in Renfrew Town Hall, which is across from his constituency office.
Two days ago, it emerged that police were reportedly questioning the 16-year-old schoolboy again about 270 messages he received from Mr Mackay over six months, including one calling him ‘cute’ and inviting him to dinner.
Married SNP activist Shaun Cameron, 25, has also spoken to police after claiming he had received unwanted messages from
Mr Mackay – including demands for ‘naughty pics’.
Meanwhile, a video emerged of Mr Mackay admitting that he was the ‘only person to be banned’ from the SNP conference karaoke.
Speaking at a Holyrood magazine event, Mr Mackay said he turned up to a meeting after the night before’s event and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon rebuked him, saying: ‘You are stinking of alcohol.’
He admitted that he was ‘still drunk’ but led conference as party business convener.
Calls to his constituency office went to voicemail yesterday.
An SNP spokesman said: ‘Derek Mackay is no longer a member of the Scottish Government and is suspended from the SNP.
‘It would be inappropriate to comment while the disciplinary process is under way.’
‘He should do the right thing and go now’