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Mr McDonald, who quit the Scottish Government after the sex pest scandal spread from Westminster to Holyrood, also vowed to change his behaviour. It raises further questions for Nicola
Sturgeon who played down his behaviour towards a woman saying some may not have thought it “serious enough” to resign. She also said the former childcare minister had not used “language that
would come in anyway close to being something that would be required to be referred to the police”. The 37-year-old quit after reportedly sending a lewd text message to a woman containing a
reference to a sex act. SNP bosses have come under fire for refusing to reveal further details of the complaint and allowing him to carry on as MSP for Aberdeen Donside. The woman who
complained last week said she decided to take action because “people have to change”. Mr McDonald, who has kept a low profile since his resignation, insisted there was a “limit” to what he
could say in order to protect the woman involved. But he added that “regardless of context or intent”, there was “no excuse” for his behaviour and he took full responsibility. Writing in his
local newspaper, the married father-of-two said he “apologised unreservedly” for his actions and was determined to change the way he behaved, But he would not be stepping down as an MSP and
added: “There is no question in my mind that in making my apology it was also right for me to resign from my role as a government minister. “I need to go further than that though. For my
apology to mean anything I must also commit to changing my behaviour and to taking more care in my actions and my language. I am determined to do that. “I have been offered support through
the SNP to help me understand more about the way I behaved, the impact it had upon others and how I can work to ensure my behaviour does change. I have accepted that offer of support. “As
has been said by many others, it is change in behaviour across the board which is the required outcome from this issue.” It is understood Mr McDonald has agreed to attend behavioural classes
with sources dismissing suggestions they are aware of any other inappropriate incidents. At the weekend it was claimed some colleagues are furious that he is being kept as an MSP. A
Scottish Tory spokesman said: “The questions surrounding Mr McDonald’s actions are mounting up, and the public are understandably looking for answers. “If what he did was bad enough for him
to cause ‘considerable distress’, then there is an urgent need for more clarity.” Meanwhile, Mr McDonald said he would now be returning to work at his constituency office. However he would
not return to Holyrood for an unspecified “period of time supporting my family and serving my constituents”. Mr McDonald said it was up to the people of Aberdeen Donside to decide if he
should continue as an MSP in the next election in 2021. He added: “Ultimately I will be judged by others on whether I can change my behaviour to meet the very high standards that people
rightly demand of their politicians. “I can only ask that I be given that chance.”