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Nicola Sturgeon calls on former SNP minister Mark McDonald to quit Holyrood

2 min read

Nicola Sturgeon has called on former SNP minister Mark McDonald to resign as an MSP over allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women.



 


Mr McDonald announced today that he was quitting the party, but insisted he would remain at Holyrood and sit as an independent.

In a statement, the Aberdeen Donside MSP said he "deeply regretted" his actions and added: "I would like to take the opportunity here and now to offer a public and unreserved apology to those individuals for the hurt and offence that I have caused them."

But opposition parties accused him of putting the wellbeing of the SNP ahead of the reputation of the Scottish Parliament by refusing to resign his seat.

Labour's Rhoda Grant said: "Mark McDonald decided his conduct was not fit for a minister or an SNP MSP - but somehow it is acceptable for an MSP without party affiliation.

"People in Aberdeen Donside will rightly question that. It looks like Mark McDonald has put the reputation of the SNP before what is best for his constituents."

In a significant developmentm Ms Sturgeon also threw her weight behind calls for Mr McDonald to quit his seat.

The First Minister said: "He was elected as an SNP MSP. If his behaviour is such that he himself considers he cannot continue as an SNP MSP, then it would be appropriate to give his constituents the opportunity to elect a new MSP."

She said the SNP would "be very optimistic about winning" any resulting by-election in the seat, which Mr McDonald won in 2016 with a majority of 11,630.

There have been rumours that former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond - who lost his Westminster seat at last year's general election - could mount a bid to stand if a by-election is called.

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