Mark McDonald: ‘Sexting’ MSP in line for £7,000 payoff Mark McDonald, the former Scottish Government minister who resigned last year over “sexting” allegations, is in line to receive a […]

Mark McDonald, the former Scottish Government minister who resigned last year over “sexting” allegations, is in line to receive a golden goodbye of more than £7,000.

The MSP quit his jobs as Childcare Minister in November amid reports that he sent a text message to a woman which included a reference to a sex act.

“It cannot be right that a minister who has resigned in such shameful circumstances has effectively received a bonus from the taxpayer” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Rhoda Grant MSP

Mr McDonald, who represents Aberdeen Donside, was subsequently suspended by the SNP after further allegations were made about his conduct and an internal investigation is currently ongoing.

On Friday it emerged that under Holyrood rules, Mr McDonald is entitled to a “resettlement grant” of £7,270, a quarter of his ministerial salary.

It has not been confirmed if he has accepted the money, which according to the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 should have been paid 90 days after his resignation.

Holyrood’s opposition parties called for an immediate overhaul of the resettlement grants scheme, which automatically sanctions the payouts to former ministers regardless of why they quit.

“It’s clearly wrong that Mark McDonald should pocket this payment considering the circumstances of his departure,” said Scottish Conservative deputy chief whip Alexander Burnett.

“It’s important we look at these processes again to ensure this isn’t repeated. The public’s view of the parliament as a whole would worsen otherwise.”

Reform

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant told the Herald newspaper: “It cannot be right that a minister who has resigned in such shameful circumstances has effectively received a bonus from the taxpayer.

“If Mark McDonald has received this money, he must immediately return it – or, if that is not possible, donate it to a charity such as Women’s Aid.

“The Scottish Parliament must also urgently review the law which allows this money to be given and appropriately reform it to avoid such circumstances in the future.”

Stewart Stevenson received a similar-sized grant after quitting as Transport Minister in 2010 over his handling of chaos on the roads over the winter, but he returned the money to Parliament.

A Scottish Parliamentary spokesman was unable to confirm if the money had been paid to Mr McDonald. “Any change to the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 would ultimately be a matter for all MSPs,” he added.

In a newspaper article following his resignation, Mr McDonald said he was seeking professional support to help him understand his past behaviour and that he wanted to change.

“There is no question in my mind that in making my apology it was also right for me to resign from my role as a government minister,” he added.

But several days later he was suspended by the SNP after “new information” about his conduct was reported to the party. The details of the complaint remain unclear.

The former minister’s constituency office directed media requests to the SNP.

A party spokesman said: “Mr McDonald is currently suspended from the SNP. An independent investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”