Jackson Carlaw, acting leader of the Scottish Tory party, launched a blistering attack on Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after her former Finance Secretary Derek Mackay resigned over claims he sent inappropriate texts to a 16-year-old boy. Mr Carlaw said: “From the start, it seems the SNP government has been more interested in protecting its own reputation than the welfare of potential and actual victims.

“The SNP government tried to shut down the story.

“A pattern of behaviour is beginning to emerge and it’s vital the SNP leadership – instead of spinning – acts to establish a complete picture.”

His attack comes after the Scottish Sun reported the Scottish National Party had demanded they give justification for the publication of the story before they revealed Mr Mackay had sent hundreds of messages to a schoolboy.

Ms Sturgeon’s spin doctor told the newspaper the story would be an “intrusion” into Mr Mackay’s private life.

They said there was “nothing illegal or unlawful” in Mr Mackay’s messages.

But a SNP spokesman said:“Once the First Minister became aware of the allegations Wednesday evening, decisive action was taken and Derek Mackay resigned.

“He was suspended from the SNP as soon as the full details, which we had asked for the previous evening, were published by The Sun on Thursday morning.

“The SNP has established procedures for individuals to raise concerns about members, including the option of doing that anonymously.”

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. 

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He was later suspended from the SNP by Ms Sturgeon.

But he is yet to have resigned as a Member of Scottish Parliament.

Ms Sturgeon is alleged to have raised concerns about Mr Mackay’s behaviour before he was forced to.

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.

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.

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

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