Former finance secretary to face no criminal charges over messages to schoolboy

Former finance secretary Derek Mackay will not face any criminal charges, over the 270 messages sent to a teenage boy that led to his resignation.

Police have analysed the communication between Mr Mackay and the 16-year-old on Instagram and Facebook, and found no crime had been committed.

The Renfrewshire MSP resigned as finance secretary on the eve of the Scottish budget statement after the online conversations between him and the boy were published by the Scottish Sun.

Messages from the 42-year-old reportedly called the boy “cute”, invited him to events and asked their conversations be kept secret.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “No reports of criminality has been made to Police Scotland.

“However, we have carried out inquiries and assessed all of the available information.

“Based on this, there is nothing to suggest that an offence has been committed.

“If anyone has any further information then they should contact Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”

The teenager was later reported as telling the Scottish Sun: “I was happy to speak to the police and will tell them everything that happened.

“I didn't think what he was doing was a crime but I knew it was wrong and should be highlighted.”

Mr Mackay has not been seen at Parliament or attended constituency surgeries since the story emerged on February 5.

He was also suspended by the SNP but remains an MSP.

Hear all the latest news from the North East of Scotland on Northsound 1. Listen on FM, via our Rayo app, DAB, or smart speaker.