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Scotland’s former Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has been suspended from the SNP, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
It comes amid allegations he sent hundreds of messages to a 16-year-old boy.
He resigned from his senior role today and the Scottish First Minister later announced he has also been suspended from the SNP.
She said: “He has also been suspended from both the SNP and the parliamentary group.”
She said this decision was made after she fully read the reports detailing the allegations.
Asked whether she had spoken to the boy in question, she said she had not and was not aware of his identity.
However, she said if she were approached by the family they would discuss the matter.
An investigation will be carried out to determine whether Mr Mackay will be permanently ousted from the party.
The Scottish Sun reported that Mr Mackay, 42, befriended the teenager on Facebook and Instagram and sent him 270 social media messages.
On Thursday morning, Mr Mackay announced his resignation, saying he had “behaved foolishly”.
In a statement, he said: “I take full responsibility for my actions. I have behaved foolishly and I am truly sorry.”
Mr Mackay, who was tipped by some to be a future First Minister, had been due to unveil the Scottish Government’s Budget for the next financial year on Tuesday.
This will now be presented by public finance minister Kate Forbes.
Mr Mackay has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2011.
He was previously a minister for local government and planning.
The Sun published a long string of messages allegedly sent to the boy by the Renfrewshire North and West MSP.
In one message, he is alleged to have asked “And our chats are between us?”
When the boy agreed he allegedly told him: “Cool, then to be honest I think you are really cute.”
The newspaper alleges he contacted the teenager over a six-month period, and offered to take him to a rugby game and out to dinner.
In one of the messages the boy tells Mr Mackay he is 16.
