Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is alleged to have raised concerns about Mr Mackay’s behaviour before he was forced to resign as Scottish Finance Minister over allegations of texting a 16-year-old boy. Mr Mackay is even said to have joked about Ms Sturgeon’s ban during a SNP conference in 2017, saying he wouldn’t be going to the pub after the event because “Nicola won’t let me”, according to reports by the Scottish Herald.

Ms Sturgeon is said to have told Mr Mackay not to go out partying after his behaviour was noted at a senior staff meeting, according to a former senior member of staff.

The revelation comes after Mr Mackay, once tipped to replace Ms Sturgeon as First Minister, quit following allegations he had befriend a schoolboy on social media, bombarding him with hundreds of online messages – including one describing him as “really cute” – over a six month period.

It comes after revelations father-of-two Mr Mackay bombarded a schoolboy he befriended on Facebook and Instagram with hundreds of online messages over a six-month period – including one calling him “really cute”. 

Police Scotland said it had not received any complaint of criminality, but added: “We are currently assessing available information from media reporting and would encourage anyone with information to please come forward.”

Mr Mackay resigned on Wednesday night – the night before he was due to announce the £40 billion draft Scottish Budget.

Yesterday, Ms Sturgeon confirmed he had also been suspended from both the SNP and its parliamentary group “pending further investigation”.

Mr Mackay is now facing calls to step down as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).

Ms Sturgeon appeared to dodge questions yesterday when she was asked whether Mr Mackay should continue as an MSP, saying: “I am making my views very clear. He has issues to reflect on.”

Mr Mackay issued an apology to the boy and his family with his resignation, admitting he had “behaved foolishly”.

In one message, he asked the teenager: “And our chats are between us?”

When the boy agreed, Mr Mackay told him: “Cool, then to be honest I think you are really cute.”

The news comes after it emerged Mr Mackay is in line to receive a £12,000 golden goodbye payout after his decision to resign as Scottish Finance Minister.

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The 42-year-old is set to receive £11,945 of taxpayers’ cash – a “resettlement grant”, which is a quarter of his £47,780 Cabinet salary – after his resignation.

Mr Mackay, could also rake in his £63,579 MSP salary if he fails to quit, it has emerged.

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