Highland MSP Kate Forbes to take over from shamed Scottish Government finance minister Derek Mackay after he messaged 16 year old

Highland MSP Kate Forbes is set to deliver the Scottish budget today after finance minister Derek Mackay resigned.

Mr Mackay departed in the wake of allegations of inappropriately messaging a 16-year-old boy over a period of months.

The Scottish Sun reported that he contacted the boy over a six-month period sending him numerous messages including one where he told him he was "cute."

The newspaper 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.

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

He said: "I apologise unreservedly to the individual involved and his family" and said he is "sorry to have let colleagues and supporters down."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she had accepted Mr Mackay's resignation, adding: "Derek has made a significant contribution to government, however he recognises that his behaviour has failed to meet the standards required."

Now Kate Forbes, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch. faces the task of delivering the budget in the chamber and steering it through parliament.

Miss Forbes is currently the minister for public finance and digital economy.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.