Show shirkers like text pest ex-minister the door says irate MSP

The call comes as pressure mounts on former SNP cabinet secretary Derek Mackayto resign his seat after his complete absence from Holyrood proceedings since he was found to have texted a teenage boy 270 times.

Just last week, the boy’s mother called for Mr Mackay to step down given his months of paid inactivity.

Now Central Scotland List MSP and the party’s Transport spokesman Graham Simpson, announced that he will introduce a private members bill in the next parliament to do just that.

“Mackay’s law’ would mean that any MSP who failed to show up to Holyrood for six months could no longer remain as a member of the Scottish Parliament, similar to the rules in many local councils.

Mr Simpson said:“Most councils have rules on this

“And if Derek Mackay was a councillor and hadn’t done his job for six months then he would have been drummed out – but there are no rules covering MSPs’ attendance.

“This means they can do nothing and pocket the cash.

“In theory, you could act like Derek Mackayis currently doing for five years. This is wrong.

“If you are elected to the Scottish Parliament you should be a worker not a shirker.

“If Mr Mackay had any honour left he would stand down now – and allow the people of Renfrewshire North and West to elect someone who will properly represent them in Holyrood.”

The Scottish Parliament was given a chance to comment but declined to do so.