Nicola Sturgeon calls on Mark McDonald to resign as MSP

Ex-minister quit SNP after inquiry substantiated claims of inappropriate behaviour

Nicola Sturgeon has urged her former childcare minister Mark McDonald to stand down as an MSP after he resigned from her party over inappropriate behaviour but refused to quit Holyrood.

McDonald announced on Thursday he had left the Scottish National party after three women accused him of unwanted and inappropriate behaviour, but he insisted he would stay on as independent MSP for Aberdeen Donside.

Sturgeon, who is SNP leader as well as first minister, told reporters she could not see why McDonald felt it was right to remain at Holyrood if he felt it necessary to leave the party because of his conduct.

'He was elected as an SNP MSP,' she said. '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.'

Nicola Sturgeon on Mark McDonald: "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"

Read full article here