FINANCE Secretay Derek Mackay has resigned from his position following allegations after it was revealed he sent creepy texts to a 16-year-old boy online.
Mackay's resignation comes hours before he was due to deliver the budget in Holyrood.
According to the Scottish Sun, the MSP called the schoolboy "cute" and invited him to dinner and an event at the Scottish Parliament.
Mackay has said he takes "full responsibility" for his actions, and claims he "behaved foolishly".
He said: “I apologise unreservedly to the individual involved and his family.
“I spoke last night with the First Minister and tendered my resignation with immediate effect.
"Serving in government has been a huge privilege and I am sorry to have let colleagues and supporters down."
Accepting Mackay’s resignation, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Derek has taken full responsibility for his actions and apologises unreservedly for them to the individual involved and to those he has let down. He has submitted his resignation as a government minister which I have accepted.
READ MORE: Finance Secretary Derek Mackay accused of sending creepy texts to schoolboy
“Derek has made a significant contribution to government, however he recognises that his behaviour has failed to meet the standards required.
“The Minister for Public Finance, Kate Forbes, will present today’s Scottish Government budget setting out our actions to support the economy, back our people and public services and tackle the climate crisis, and that remains my government's focus.”
More to follow.
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