SNP suspends former minister Mark McDonald after ‘new information’ emerges
2 min read
The SNP has suspended Mark McDonald, who recently resigned as a Scottish government minister after admitting “inappropriate” behaviour towards women, saying it has received “new information”.
The MSP quit as minister for childcare and early years earlier this month after apologising “unreservedly” for sending “inappropriate” messages to a women.
At that point he admitted his behaviour had caused the woman in question “considerable distress” and was backed in his move to stand down but remain an SNP member at Holyrood by Nicola Sturgeon.
However, in a statement released yesterday, the party said: "Following new information being received by the SNP over the course of the last 24 hours relating to the behaviour of Mark McDonald, he has been suspended from both the parliamentary group and the party while further investigation takes place.
"In the interests of due process and appropriate confidentiality no further comment will be made."
No further details of the new information that the party received has been released.
In his initial statement at the beginning of November, Mr McDonald said: "It has been brought to my attention that some of my previous actions have been considered to be inappropriate - where I have believed myself to have been merely humorous or attempting to be friendly, my behaviour might have made others uncomfortable or led them to question my intentions.
"My behaviour is entirely my responsibility and I apologise unreservedly to anyone I have upset or who might have found my behaviour inappropriate.
He said he would be staying on as the MSP for Aberdeen Donside, and pledged to "continue to serve my constituents to the best of my ability".
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