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Scotland's finance minister resigns over allegations he sent almost 300 messages to teenage boy
Mr Mackay had been due to unveil the Scottish government's Budget for the next financial year and it will now be presented by public finance minister Kate Forbes. In a statement, he said: "I take full responsibility for my actions.
I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry."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 Mr 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. "Derek has made a significant contribution to government, however he recognises that his behaviour has failed to meet the standards required." The announcement of his resignation came after The Scottish Sun reported that Mr Mackay befriended the teenager on Facebook and Instagram, and sent him 270 social media messages.
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