THE disgraced former childcare minister Mark McDonald has made his first speech at Holyrood since leaving the government half a year ago.
Mr McDonald, who is now the Independent MSP for Aberdeen Donside, intervened in a member’s debate about the availability of free ATM machines.
It was exactly six months since his previous oral contribution on November 2.
He resigned as a minister two days later after admitting to inappropriate behaviour, which he downplayed as a failed attempt at humour.
Mark McDonald says he is ‘morally justified’ in returning to Holyrood
He was later suspended by the SNP and a party investigation found her had deliberately and persistently pestered two women with “inappropriate and unwanted” messages, paid them “unwanted attention causing distress”, and was guilty of “exploiting his position of power”.
He resigned from the SNP in March and announced he would sit as an Independent MSP, meaning he stands to collect around £200,000 in wages before the next Holyrood election.
After SNP MSP James Dornan, one of whose staff was a victim of Mr McDonald, complained about his continued presence at the parliament, Holyrood’s Standards Committee asked the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life to investigate.
Mark McDonald defends Holyrood return but stays silent on his offences
InWednesday’s debate, Mr McDonald complained about the Clydesdale Bank planning to close a branch in Mastrick with two ATMs, opposite his constituency office.
SNP business minister Paul Wheelhouse said he took on Mr McDonald’s points “entirely”.
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