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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Paul Hutcheon

Shamed former SNP minister Derek Mackay in line for £55,000 profit from house sale

A shamed former SNP finance secretary is in line to make a £55,000 profit from the sale of his swanky five bedroom house.

Derek Mackay’s detached villa is on the market nearly three years after he resigned for pestering a 16 year old boy with messages.

Mackay, who represented Renfrewshire North and West, was tipped as a future First Minister before his fall from grace.

Hours before he was set to deliver his Budget in February 2020, he quit Nicola Sturgeon’s cabinet after sending hundreds of messages to the pupil.

Mackay called the boy “really cute” and asked him if the chats were “between us”.

He never returned to Holyrood as an MSP and stood down at the last Holyrood election.

Mackay now stands to make a decent profit from the Bishopton house he bought with his then partner for £399,000 in 2018.

According to property sale websites, the “Puddleside” home is going for offers over £455,000.

The blurb says the “rare to the market” home must be viewed to appreciate the “exceptional waterside location”.

It was also described as a “beautifully presented” property in a “fabulous location”.

The house includes a reception hallway, a “stunning bay window lounge with feature fireplace” and a dining kitchen area with French doors leading to the garden.

Although Mackay has kept a low profile since his exit from politics, he set up a consultancy in February last year.

Lochan Associates, which has not filed accounts yet, is described as providing “management consultancy activities”.

The former Transport Minister made a high profile return to Holyrood in September to give evidence to a Holyrood inquiry on the ferries debacle.

But he dodged journalists at the end of the session and was whisked away to the Parliament car park.

In his 2020 resignation statement, Mackay said: "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 to 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."

Sturgeon said at the time: “Derek has made a significant contribution to government, however he recognises that his behaviour has failed to meet the standards required."

Mackay, who is no longer in the SNP, could not be reached.

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