Mark McDonald suspended by SNP after party receives 'new information' on his behaviour

Mark McDonald - image credit: Scottish Government

Mark McDonald has been suspended from the SNP after the party received “new information” about his behaviour.

The party confirmed that McDonald, who stood down as children’s minister last week after stating that some of his previous actions “have been considered to be inappropriate”, has been suspended from both the SNP parliamentary group and the party while an investigation takes place.

McDonald was elected as a list MSP in the 2011 election for the Scottish Parliament, before becoming MSP for Aberdeen Donside in 2013.

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A spokesperson for the First Minister last week backed McDonald’s decision to resign as a minister, saying “it would be inappropriate for him to remain in government”.

In his statement at the time McDonald said: "It has been brought to my attention that some of my previous actions have been considered to be inappropriate – where I have believed myself to have been merely humorous or attempting to be friendly, my behaviour might have made others uncomfortable or led them to question my intentions.

"My behaviour is entirely my responsibility and I apologise unreservedly to anyone I have upset or who might have found my behaviour inappropriate.

"In light of my position in government, I believe it would not be appropriate for me to continue to serve in my role in the Scottish government at this time and I have tendered my resignation as a minister.”

But the party has now suspended McDonald after receiving new information.

An SNP spokesperson said: “Following new information being received by the SNP over the course of the last 24 hours relating to the behaviour of Mark McDonald, he has been suspended from both the parliamentary group and the party while further investigation takes place. In the interests of due process and appropriate confidentiality no further comment will be made.”