EDINBURGH - Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday announced the suspension of her finance minister and a full investigation after revelations he sent a string of messages to a 16-year-old schoolboy.
"Derek Mackay has apologised unreservedly for his conduct and has recognised, as I do, that it was unacceptable and falls seriously below the standard required of a minister," Sturgeon told parliament. RUGBY MATCH The newspaper reported that Mackay, a father of two who came out as gay and separated from his wife in 2013, befriended the schoolboy on Facebook and Instagram.In one message, he is alleged to have asked:"And our chats are between us?"The tabloid said Mackay - finance minister since 2016 - offered to take him out to dinner and a rugby game.
RISING STAR The revelations come as Sturgeon faces a row with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over his refusal to allow a new vote to decide if Scots should go their own way after 300 years of union. Murdo Fraser, finance spokesman for the main opposition Conservatives in the Scottish Parliament, said Mackay was popular across the chamber.