[1] As a member of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, he served as the SNP Spokesperson for Justice and Immigration from 2022 to 2023.

[7] Immediately prior to his election, McDonald worked as a Parliamentary and Public Affairs Officer for the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, a Glasgow-based charity.

[8] McDonald was officially selected unopposed as the SNP candidate, in December 2014, for the constituency which he has described as his "home patch".

[15] McDonald topped the backbenchers' ballot for private members bills in 2023 which allowed him to introduce 'The Neonatal Care Leave and Pay Act' later passed by parliament.

[18] McDonald stood for re-election in the 2024 United Kingdom general election, but lost his seat to Katrina Murray of Scottish Labour.