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NAT GOOD SNP controversies over past five years – from Salmond feud and Mackay scandal to Ferrier ‘Covid’ trip
Gordon Tait
21:28, 30 Apr 2021Updated: 8:35, 1 May 2021
NICOLA Sturgeon this week hit out at the “stench” encircling Boris Johnson’s Tories.
But the SNP have been strongly criticised for problems of their own over the past five years, when the party has lurched from one scandal to another.
The SNP has been rocked by a series of controversies over the past five years
11
The SNP has been rocked by a series of controversies over the past five years
Controversy has dogged the once-disciplined Nats throughout their whole term in office, including Finance Secretary Derek Mackay pestering a schoolboy with hundreds of texts.
Despite this and a list of other scandals, Ms Sturgeon insisted the SNP doesn’t have reputational problems, claiming: “When issues arise about the behaviour of individuals, then we deal with those appropriately.”
Here, The Scottish Sun’s Chief Reporter Gordon Tait takes a look at the SNP figures who have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Alex Salmond
Alex Salmond has been locked in an ongoing feud with his successor Nicola Sturgeon
11
Alex Salmond has been locked in an ongoing feud with his successor Nicola Sturgeon Credit: Reuters
THE ex-First Minister has split the SNP apart and shattered his friendship with Nicola Sturgeon in the wake of a sex harassment claims scandal.
Cracks in his relationship with the country’s current leader began to show when he began hosting a show on the Russia-backed telly station RT.
But the political world was stunned in August 2018 when it emerged he’d been accused of inappropriate behaviour while he was in Scotland’s top job.
In January 2019, Mr Salmond won a civil case against the Scottish Government and had his £500,000 legal fees paid after the handling of the complaints against him was judged to have been “tainted” by bias”.
Just days later he was arrested and charged with 14 offences - nine sexual assaults, two attempted rapes, two indecent assaults and one breach of the peace.
He was cleared of all charges after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March last year.
But this year key players in the drama - including Ms Sturgeon and her hubby, SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - were grilled by MSPs.
And Mr Salmond stoked a Nats civil war by claiming senior figures around the First Minister plotted to banish him from public life and have him locked up.
A Holyrood committee voted 5-4 to declare Ms Sturgeon had misled parliament. But a separate inquiry by Irish barrister James Hamilton ruled in March she didn’t breach the ministerial code.
And just days later, Mr Salmond announced he’ll lead the new Alba Party into next month’s Scots election. Several former SNP big names are backing his bid to secure a pro-indy “super-majority”.
Derek Mackay
Derek Mackay was found to have bombarded a 16-year-old boy with creepy messages
11
Derek Mackay was found to have bombarded a 16-year-old boy with creepy messagesCredit: Getty Images - Getty
THE Scottish Sun exposed the sleazy Finance Secretary’s texts to a 16-year-old boy on the eve of his budget in February 2020.
The rising star of the SNP bombarded the lad with 270 messages over six months after contacting him out of the blue.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West invited the youngster to dinner and called him “cute” in creepy contact on Facebook and Instagram.
After we revealed the scandal, Mackay stepped down from his Cabinet role and was suspended by the party.
The shameless 43-year-old continued to take his £66,000-a-year salary despite never re-entering Holyrood.
Disciplinary action was paused as he addressed mental health problems but a party probe was axed when he quit last month.
On the anniversary of the scandal, the schoolboy’s mum said: “For the last year he has been counting his money while his party has done nothing.”
Rivals have launched a bid for a so-called Mackay’s Law to allow parly to axe AWOL MSPs.
Margaret Ferrier
Margaret Ferrier has been accused of traveling between Scotland and England while displaying Covid symptoms
11
Margaret Ferrier has been accused of traveling between Scotland and England while displaying Covid symptoms Credit: PA: Press Association
THE Nats MP is accused of travelling between Scotland and England despite having shown symptoms of coronavirus.
She allegedly traveled from Glasgow to London by train on September 28 last year after being tested for Covid.
She went on to speak for four minutes in the House of Commons.
It is claimed she stayed in London before getting the train back the following day.
Ms Ferrier was suspended by Nicola Sturgeon and now sits as an independent for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
She was arrested by cops and charged with culpable and reckless conduct in January.
Ms Ferrier made no plea or declaration at Glasgow Sheriff Court the following month.
She was bailed and will return at a later date.
If convicted, she could face a prison sentence.
We revealed last month that she put an overnight stay in London on expenses.
Mark McDonald
Mark McDonald quit the SNP after a harassment scandal in 2017
11
Mark McDonald quit the SNP after a harassment scandal in 2017Credit: Alamy
THE MSP for Aberdeen Donside quit the SNP government after a harassment scandal in 2017.
He admitted causing a woman “considerable distress” with ‘inappropriate and unwanted’ texts and ‘exploited’ his position of power.
The 40-year-old was banished by the party but continued to represent the constituency as an independent until this term ended.
He even had to work in Holyrood’s basement while bosses worked out where to move him.
In a tearful farewell, he said sorry and begged members to see he had changed, crediting his family’s loyalty.
But he said: “I recognise I have made poor decisions.
“While I have never set out to upset anyone, the fact people felt hurt causes me immense regret and sorrow.”
Stewart Hosie
Stewart Hosie had an affair with Westminster journalist Serena Cowdy
11
Stewart Hosie had an affair with Westminster journalist Serena Cowdy
THE Dundee East MP dumped politician wife Shona Robison after his affair with Serena Cowdy was exposed.
Hosie, 57, stood down as Nicola Sturgeon’s No2 in 2016 after the revelations caused major embarrassment for the SNP.
It also sparked claims of a love triangle - Ms Cowdy previously had a fling with SNP MP Angus MacNeil, who split from his wife Jane in 2015.
Insiders claimed Mr Hosie’s affair was exposed after an angry confrontation between the men in a Commons bar.
It later emerged Ms Cowdy told pals the SNP were like a “sexy Mujahideen” and raised eyebrows with revelations that the MP wooed her in “crisp, white Marks & Spencer Y-fronts”.
Hosie apologised for any “hurt and upset” caused. The couple wed in 2018.
Kenny Gibson
Kenny Gibson flew to Costa Rica with a married party aide weeks before he went on holiday with his MP wife Patricia
11
Kenny Gibson flew to Costa Rica with a married party aide weeks before he went on holiday with his MP wife Patricia
IN 2017, we revealed the notorious SNP love rat flew 5,000 miles to Costa Rica with a married party aide weeks before taking a Spanish break with his scandal-hit MP wife Patricia.
Serial cheat Mr Gibson holidayed with mum of two Ellen Forson, 45 - aide to SNP Economy Secretary Keith Brown - in the Central American paradise.
At the time, Clackmannanshire councillor Ellen, of Alloa, posted snaps and tales from her travels appearing to be on a solo jaunt. Mr Gibson then returned to wife Patricia, 52, in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, before their own trip.
Ironically, the Cunninghame North MSP got together with his wife, North Ayrshire and Arran MP, while with another woman.
Fiancée Isabel Bryce dumped him after she found a receipt showing he planned a romantic break in Cyprus with then-Glasgow councillor Patricia.
Mr Gibson’s ex-wife Lynda said he had cheated on her too.
Patrick Grady & Patricia Gibson
Patrick Grady quit as the SNP Westminster chief whip after he was accused of touching a 19-year-old man inappropriately in a pub
11
Patrick Grady quit as the SNP Westminster chief whip after he was accused of touching a 19-year-old man inappropriately in a pubCredit: Les Gallagher - The Sun Glasgow
GLASGOW North MP Mr Grady quit as SNP Westminster chief whip after a formal complaint alleging he touched a man, 19, inappropriately in a London pub in October 2016.
There were also claims he groped two researchers at a Christmas bash that year.
The 41-year-old, who hasn’t commented, stood down as head of party discipline last month.
Patricia Gibson was accused of sexual harassment by a party staffer
11
Patricia Gibson was accused of sexual harassment by a party staffer
A staffer at the centre of the scandal also claimed Mr Grady ignored his sexual harassment complaint against Patricia Gibson last year.
He claimed Mrs Gibson targeted him in the Strangers Bar in the Commons.
Mrs Gibson said the allegations were “unfounded”.
Natalie McGarry
Natalie McGarry is accused of embezzling more than £25,000
11
Natalie McGarry is accused of embezzling more than £25,000Credit: PA: Press Association
THE former Nats MP is accused of embezzling over £25,000 from two pro-indy groups.
Ex-Glasgow East SNP member Ms McGarry, 39, of Clarkston near Glasgow, denies stealing £21,000 while treasurer of Women for Independence between April 2013 to November 2015.
She also denies embezzling £4,661 from the SNP Glasgow Regional Association from April 2014 to August 2015.
The trial was due to take place next month but has been delayed until June.
Fergus Ewing
Fergus Ewing is under investigation by the Scottish Government
11
Fergus Ewing is under investigation by the Scottish GovernmentCredit: Alamy
THE Rural Economy Secretary in the last parly is under investigation by the Scottish Government for allegedly bullying two civil servants.
Details of the probe were passed to senior managers at Marine Scotland in Edinburgh at the end of 2019 before being escalated.
The Nat was also the subject of accusations over his behaviour towards staff in 2018.
He apologised at the time, admitting he could be “forthright” in his opinions.
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Live Blog
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We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5300
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©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Patsy and the Grady Bunch
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The Sun
Scottish Sun
Scottish News
World News
Opinion
Politics
Health News
Politics
NAT GOOD SNP controversies over past five years – from Salmond feud and Mackay scandal to Ferrier ‘Covid’ trip
Gordon Tait
21:28, 30 Apr 2021Updated: 8:35, 1 May 2021
NICOLA Sturgeon this week hit out at the “stench” encircling Boris Johnson’s Tories.
But the SNP have been strongly criticised for problems of their own over the past five years, when the party has lurched from one scandal to another.
The SNP has been rocked by a series of controversies over the past five years
11
The SNP has been rocked by a series of controversies over the past five years
Controversy has dogged the once-disciplined Nats throughout their whole term in office, including Finance Secretary Derek Mackay pestering a schoolboy with hundreds of texts.
Despite this and a list of other scandals, Ms Sturgeon insisted the SNP doesn’t have reputational problems, claiming: “When issues arise about the behaviour of individuals, then we deal with those appropriately.”
Here, The Scottish Sun’s Chief Reporter Gordon Tait takes a look at the SNP figures who have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Alex Salmond
Alex Salmond has been locked in an ongoing feud with his successor Nicola Sturgeon
11
Alex Salmond has been locked in an ongoing feud with his successor Nicola Sturgeon Credit: Reuters
THE ex-First Minister has split the SNP apart and shattered his friendship with Nicola Sturgeon in the wake of a sex harassment claims scandal.
Cracks in his relationship with the country’s current leader began to show when he began hosting a show on the Russia-backed telly station RT.
But the political world was stunned in August 2018 when it emerged he’d been accused of inappropriate behaviour while he was in Scotland’s top job.
In January 2019, Mr Salmond won a civil case against the Scottish Government and had his £500,000 legal fees paid after the handling of the complaints against him was judged to have been “tainted” by bias”.
Just days later he was arrested and charged with 14 offences - nine sexual assaults, two attempted rapes, two indecent assaults and one breach of the peace.
He was cleared of all charges after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March last year.
But this year key players in the drama - including Ms Sturgeon and her hubby, SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - were grilled by MSPs.
And Mr Salmond stoked a Nats civil war by claiming senior figures around the First Minister plotted to banish him from public life and have him locked up.
A Holyrood committee voted 5-4 to declare Ms Sturgeon had misled parliament. But a separate inquiry by Irish barrister James Hamilton ruled in March she didn’t breach the ministerial code.
And just days later, Mr Salmond announced he’ll lead the new Alba Party into next month’s Scots election. Several former SNP big names are backing his bid to secure a pro-indy “super-majority”.
Derek Mackay
Derek Mackay was found to have bombarded a 16-year-old boy with creepy messages
11
Derek Mackay was found to have bombarded a 16-year-old boy with creepy messagesCredit: Getty Images - Getty
THE Scottish Sun exposed the sleazy Finance Secretary’s texts to a 16-year-old boy on the eve of his budget in February 2020.
The rising star of the SNP bombarded the lad with 270 messages over six months after contacting him out of the blue.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West invited the youngster to dinner and called him “cute” in creepy contact on Facebook and Instagram.
After we revealed the scandal, Mackay stepped down from his Cabinet role and was suspended by the party.
The shameless 43-year-old continued to take his £66,000-a-year salary despite never re-entering Holyrood.
Disciplinary action was paused as he addressed mental health problems but a party probe was axed when he quit last month.
On the anniversary of the scandal, the schoolboy’s mum said: “For the last year he has been counting his money while his party has done nothing.”
Rivals have launched a bid for a so-called Mackay’s Law to allow parly to axe AWOL MSPs.
Margaret Ferrier
Margaret Ferrier has been accused of traveling between Scotland and England while displaying Covid symptoms
11
Margaret Ferrier has been accused of traveling between Scotland and England while displaying Covid symptoms Credit: PA: Press Association
THE Nats MP is accused of travelling between Scotland and England despite having shown symptoms of coronavirus.
She allegedly traveled from Glasgow to London by train on September 28 last year after being tested for Covid.
She went on to speak for four minutes in the House of Commons.
It is claimed she stayed in London before getting the train back the following day.
Ms Ferrier was suspended by Nicola Sturgeon and now sits as an independent for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
She was arrested by cops and charged with culpable and reckless conduct in January.
Ms Ferrier made no plea or declaration at Glasgow Sheriff Court the following month.
She was bailed and will return at a later date.
If convicted, she could face a prison sentence.
We revealed last month that she put an overnight stay in London on expenses.
Mark McDonald
Mark McDonald quit the SNP after a harassment scandal in 2017
11
Mark McDonald quit the SNP after a harassment scandal in 2017Credit: Alamy
THE MSP for Aberdeen Donside quit the SNP government after a harassment scandal in 2017.
He admitted causing a woman “considerable distress” with ‘inappropriate and unwanted’ texts and ‘exploited’ his position of power.
The 40-year-old was banished by the party but continued to represent the constituency as an independent until this term ended.
He even had to work in Holyrood’s basement while bosses worked out where to move him.
In a tearful farewell, he said sorry and begged members to see he had changed, crediting his family’s loyalty.
But he said: “I recognise I have made poor decisions.
“While I have never set out to upset anyone, the fact people felt hurt causes me immense regret and sorrow.”
Stewart Hosie
Stewart Hosie had an affair with Westminster journalist Serena Cowdy
11
Stewart Hosie had an affair with Westminster journalist Serena Cowdy
THE Dundee East MP dumped politician wife Shona Robison after his affair with Serena Cowdy was exposed.
Hosie, 57, stood down as Nicola Sturgeon’s No2 in 2016 after the revelations caused major embarrassment for the SNP.
It also sparked claims of a love triangle - Ms Cowdy previously had a fling with SNP MP Angus MacNeil, who split from his wife Jane in 2015.
Insiders claimed Mr Hosie’s affair was exposed after an angry confrontation between the men in a Commons bar.
It later emerged Ms Cowdy told pals the SNP were like a “sexy Mujahideen” and raised eyebrows with revelations that the MP wooed her in “crisp, white Marks & Spencer Y-fronts”.
Hosie apologised for any “hurt and upset” caused. The couple wed in 2018.
Kenny Gibson
Kenny Gibson flew to Costa Rica with a married party aide weeks before he went on holiday with his MP wife Patricia
11
Kenny Gibson flew to Costa Rica with a married party aide weeks before he went on holiday with his MP wife Patricia
IN 2017, we revealed the notorious SNP love rat flew 5,000 miles to Costa Rica with a married party aide weeks before taking a Spanish break with his scandal-hit MP wife Patricia.
Serial cheat Mr Gibson holidayed with mum of two Ellen Forson, 45 - aide to SNP Economy Secretary Keith Brown - in the Central American paradise.
At the time, Clackmannanshire councillor Ellen, of Alloa, posted snaps and tales from her travels appearing to be on a solo jaunt. Mr Gibson then returned to wife Patricia, 52, in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, before their own trip.
Ironically, the Cunninghame North MSP got together with his wife, North Ayrshire and Arran MP, while with another woman.
Fiancée Isabel Bryce dumped him after she found a receipt showing he planned a romantic break in Cyprus with then-Glasgow councillor Patricia.
Mr Gibson’s ex-wife Lynda said he had cheated on her too.
Patrick Grady & Patricia Gibson
Patrick Grady quit as the SNP Westminster chief whip after he was accused of touching a 19-year-old man inappropriately in a pub
11
Patrick Grady quit as the SNP Westminster chief whip after he was accused of touching a 19-year-old man inappropriately in a pubCredit: Les Gallagher - The Sun Glasgow
GLASGOW North MP Mr Grady quit as SNP Westminster chief whip after a formal complaint alleging he touched a man, 19, inappropriately in a London pub in October 2016.
There were also claims he groped two researchers at a Christmas bash that year.
The 41-year-old, who hasn’t commented, stood down as head of party discipline last month.
Patricia Gibson was accused of sexual harassment by a party staffer
11
Patricia Gibson was accused of sexual harassment by a party staffer
A staffer at the centre of the scandal also claimed Mr Grady ignored his sexual harassment complaint against Patricia Gibson last year.
He claimed Mrs Gibson targeted him in the Strangers Bar in the Commons.
Mrs Gibson said the allegations were “unfounded”.
Natalie McGarry
Natalie McGarry is accused of embezzling more than £25,000
11
Natalie McGarry is accused of embezzling more than £25,000Credit: PA: Press Association
THE former Nats MP is accused of embezzling over £25,000 from two pro-indy groups.
Ex-Glasgow East SNP member Ms McGarry, 39, of Clarkston near Glasgow, denies stealing £21,000 while treasurer of Women for Independence between April 2013 to November 2015.
She also denies embezzling £4,661 from the SNP Glasgow Regional Association from April 2014 to August 2015.
The trial was due to take place next month but has been delayed until June.
Fergus Ewing
Fergus Ewing is under investigation by the Scottish Government
11
Fergus Ewing is under investigation by the Scottish GovernmentCredit: Alamy
THE Rural Economy Secretary in the last parly is under investigation by the Scottish Government for allegedly bullying two civil servants.
Details of the probe were passed to senior managers at Marine Scotland in Edinburgh at the end of 2019 before being escalated.
The Nat was also the subject of accusations over his behaviour towards staff in 2018.
He apologised at the time, admitting he could be “forthright” in his opinions.
Most read in Politics
HIT FOR SIX Boris Johnson confirms he has six children and 'changes a lot of nappies'
INDY POLL Scots think Westminster should agree to IndyRef2 before vote goes ahead
VAXX CONCERNING Brits to be plunged back into 'full lockdown' if vaccine-busting Covid hits
'no progress' Salmond claims Sturgeon's attempts to hold IndyRef2 are like Groundhog Day
AGONY UPON AGONY Matt Hancock's wife 'battling long Covid after catching it from him'
Live Blog
INDY VOW Sturgeon hopes for IndyRef2 in new parliament after SNP landslide election win
Alba Party leader Alex Salmond reveals last film he watched and last time he cried
We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5300
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
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Scottish National Party
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Patsy and the Grady Bunch
archive.is/nWbgD
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