Demands for reform were made yesterday after it emerged that disgraced Aberdeen MSP Mark McDonald was in line for a “golden goodbye” payment of more than £7,000.
The former early years minister is entitled to the resettlement cash – which was a quarter of his government salary – after quitting the Holyrood administration in November.
Mr McDonald, who represents the Aberdeen Donside seat, resigned saying that “some of my previous actions” were “considered to be inappropriate”.
The Press and Journal later revealed that he had sent a text message to a woman which included a reference to a sex act.
Writing in this newspaper nine days after he quit, Mr McDonald admitted his actions had caused “considerable distress and upset” and that he was seeking professional help.
But the former Aberdeen councillor was subsequently suspended by the SNP after a second allegation emerged, with private investigators brought in by the party to probe the claims.
The MSP, who has not been at Holyrood since quitting, resigned from the government on November 4, and a resettlement payment due to be made 90 days after such a departure, as stipulated in the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009.
Scottish Conservative deputy chief whip Alexander Burnett called for the resettlement grants scheme to be overhauled.
He said: “It’s clearly wrong that Mark McDonald should pocket this payment considering the circumstances of his departure.
“It’s important we look at these processes again to ensure this isn’t repeated. The public’s view of the parliament as a whole would worsen otherwise.”
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant told The Herald: “This is unacceptable. It cannot be right that a minister who has resigned in such circumstances has effectively received a bonus from the taxpayer.
“If Mark McDonald has received this money, he must immediately return it or donate it to a charity such as Women’s Aid. Parliament must also urgently review the law.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Parliament said: “Any change to the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 would ultimately be a matter for all MSPs.”
Mr McDonald could not be contacted yesterday and the SNP declined to comment.