Summary

  • Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy Kate Forbes delivers Scotland's budget

  • She says there will be no change to income tax rates in the 2020/21 financial year

  • Ms Forbes steps in for Derek Mackay who has resigned as the country's finance secretary

  • The MSP resigned following the Scottish Sun's allegations he contacted a 16-year-old boy on social media over a six-month period

  • At FMQs earlier, Nicola Sturgeon answered questions about the resignation of her cabinet minister

Live Reporting

Craig Hutchison and Louise Wilson

  1. Tory MSP says Mackay resignation 'huge blow'

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  2. Derek Mackay had been tipped to be first minister one day

    Philip Sim
    BBC Scotland political reporter

    Derek Mackay was a minister within six months of becoming an MSP in 2011 (having led Renfrewshire Council for four years), worked steadily up the ministerial ranks, and was literally the bookies favourite to be the next first minister. And now he's gone.

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  4. 'A meteoric rise cut short'

    Philip Sim
    BBC Scotland political reporter

    derek mackay

    Derek Mackay's resignation cuts short what was a meteoric rise through Scottish politics.

    He was elected a councillor in Renfrewshire in 1999 at the age of 21, and went on to lead the council for four years.

    He became MSP for Renfrewshire North and West in 2011 and was made local government minister by Alex Salmond later that year.

    When Nicola Sturgeon took office in 2015, he became transport minister, before being promoted to finance secretary following the 2016 Holyrood election. Many bookmakers had him down as the favourite to succeed Ms Sturgeon as first minister.

    The 43-year-old was also a major figure in the SNP, serving as business convener for seven years, a role which saw him overseeing management of the party and chairing conferences and election campaigns.

  5. Derek Mackay had been due to present the Scottish budget

    The allegations come on the same day he was due to present the Scottish government's spending plans for the next year - a major set piece event in the Scottish Parliament.

    He had signalled his intention to spend more on projects to tackle climate change in his budget, but will need the support of other parties to pass his plans.

    Mr Mackay would have been putting the finishing touches to his preparations when he was contacted by the Scottish Sun on Wednesday evening, before the newspaper released the story at 23:20.

    The budget will now be presented by the public finance minister, Kate Forbes.

  6. Newspaper made claims about Derek Mackay messaging a boy

    The Scottish Sun detailed allegations that the 42-year-old politician contacted the boy "out of the blue" and sent about 270 messages on Instagram and through Facebook.

    It has published a list of conversations involving Mr Mackay and the boy, in which its says the SNP MSP invited him to dinner and to attend a rugby event.

    In one of the exchanges it is claimed that Mr Mackay told the teenager he was "cute". In another the boy confirmed he was 16 and tells Mr Mackay "not to try anything".

    The paper also quotes the boy's mother calling for Mr Mackay to be removed from his post.

  7. The Scottish Sun broke the story overnight

    Scottish Sun

  8. Nicola Sturgeon accepts Derek Mackay's resignation

    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 Minister for Public Finance, Kate Forbes, will present today’s Scottish government budget setting out our actions to support the economy, back our people and public services and tackle the climate crisis, and that remains my government's focus.

    Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister

  9. Derek Mackay's resignation statement

    I take full responsibility for my actions. I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry. I apologise unreservedly to the individual involved and his family. 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.

    Derek Mackay, Scotland's finance secretary

  10. Scottish finance secretary quits amid messages claims

    derek mackay

    Scotland's finance secretary has quit hours before delivering his budget over claims he messaged a 16-year-old boy on social media.

    The Scottish Sun reported that Derek Mackay contacted the boy over a six-month period, and told him that he was "cute".

    Mr Mackay said he had "behaved foolishly" and took full responsibility for his actions.

    And he apologised "unreservedly" to the boy and his family.