Scotland finance minister inappropriate messages to 16 year old?

[anicebag]

He allegedly sent texts to 16 year old boy saying he was cute and inviting him out to a day out. Is this inappropriate? How would we feel if it was a 16 year old girl? He announces Scotland's new budget today.

www.childrenssociety.org.uk/old-enough-to-know-better

"16 and 17 year olds are most at risk of sexual exploitation but least protected"

I just thought why do they do this and how do they think they will get away with it
Is there some sort of high they get from sailing close to the wind
It beggars belief with today’s technology

They do it because they are attracted to children. People have always taken risks when they sexual desire someone thankfully most of the time it is between consenting adults. For others they want a victim not a consenting adult, an equal and they feel entitled and being in a power position only feeds into their belief of entitlement

And I doubt this is the only child he has been trying to groom

And regardless of the age of consent the he is still a child he is 16

It’s not an unfortunate stupid mistake, poor judgement the only mistake is for him is that he has been caught everything he did was intentional, with purpose and thought out

He should be ousted from the snp, investigated by police Scotland and made to resign from his position as msp.

Sounds like his victim was a constituent. I feel sorry for the boy.

Reprehensible behaviour. Those of you saying this has nothing to do with NS, I'd disagree. NS always paints the SNP, their supporters and Scots in general as 'better' than everyone else - 'no true Scot' etc etc. We're no better, no worse. By insisting that we're somehow 'better', it makes it easier to discount or hide the bad stuff.

Reprehensible behaviour. Those of you saying this has nothing to do with NS, I'd disagree. NS always paints the SNP, their supporters and Scots in general as 'better' than everyone else - 'no true Scot' etc etc. We're no better, no worse. By insisting that we're somehow 'better', it makes it easier to discount or hide the bad stuff.

I’m just watching it on local news just now. Disgusting.

Such a high calibre politician who dropped out of finance school, deciding we should pay £1500 extra per annum in tax more than the rest of the uk for the pleasure of being ruled by the SNP. 🙄

The calibre and moral integrity of a man in such a position in the Scottish govt is woeful.

Deafening silence from the usual SNP supporters on this thread, I note

He described his behaviour as ‘foolish’. That says it all for me. It’s not foolish, foolhardy or silly. It’s grooming and predation. Let’s describe these people as the creeps and predators that they are.

Don’t the Americans have a good phrase for this - moral turpitude? It’s a tricky one though as legally there isn’t protection for 16-18, something that should change; especially in the case of large age gaps.

Absolutely agree Binterested also how it’s been reported

Language is so important we should have moved on from using language that doesn’t make us feel uncomfortable and be more honest

Yes, to me 'foolish' implies doing something a bit silly or without thought.

Not, in fact, sending 270 texts to a 16 year old boy when you are 40 something year old man in a position of power and authority.

I can’t believe the number of people who are saying he’s done nothing wrong as the boy is above age of consent. Disgusting.

Bollocks to 'foolish'
It's premeditated, calculated grooming of a vulnerable child.
He's a sick, twisted pervert and deserves to be strung up.

Oh and SNP have had unchallenged power for so long that they will be cutting corners, attracting the wrong types. It's a one party state in Scotland now and some are blinded by this idea that Scotland is somehow better.
I live in Scotland btw

I had no idea what other scandal previous posts were alluding to but found it within a few minutes on Twitter. What a load of bollocks. How can anyone believe that?

The problem is there is nothing illegal here.
It just feels like it should be.

What is more, kids are so encouraged to be independent of parental control by the authorities. At 14 they can give their own consent to immunizations. I'm not against that entirely but it is just the latest example in my child's schooling. And it all makes me uncomfortable.

The head doesn't call them pupils let alone children but "our young people."

Luckily the 16 year old had more sense than the adult here and actually told his mum. Rather than believing the hype that he was all grown up now..

(Votes for 16 and 17 year olds is a duff idea too SNP.)

My sympathies of course go to the 16 year old and his family. I also feel sorry for Mackays ex wife and children. What an utter disgrace of a human he is.

If there’s one there’s likely others.

Don't see how SNP or NS can be 'blamed' for this.

The guy was good at his job, there were no indications he was a sleaze, as soon as his behavior was revealed he was suspended (following process, he will probably be dismissed eventually). What else could/should the SNP or NS have done BEFORE this came out?

In Scotland 16 is an adult able to consent, but the question is whether Derek Mackays actions are illegal or 'only' immoral. Definitely immoral, possibly illegal if they can determine he was a person in a position of trust, power or authority. According to the media the police haven't had a complaint yet, I doubt one will be made.

I'd say has actions are abusive rather than immoral.

This issue needs much more attention than "is it illegal?"

There is another story in the Sun about this chancer bombarding a twenty something party activist with unsought for messages. The young guy's wife sounds more teed off than him!

I do feel with this type of abusive behaviour it does take the person next to you to say that its really not right. (You are not just being uptight!)

@anicebag
Your opinion on qualifications or lack of is laughable when you look at the current WM govt, full of cronies; most ill prepared or skilled for their position, a PM who is a hack with a Classics degree; very qualified 🙄