MICHAEL Matheson has spoken after the former health secretary found himself the focus on attacks from both the Conservatives and Labour at First Minister’s Questions (FMQs).
It came after Holyrood’s standards committee recommended sanctions against Matheson for having tried to charge the taxpayer for an £11,000 iPad bill racked up while holidaying in Morocco.
The committee, in a ruling announcement on Thursday morning, said Matheson should be suspended from Holyrood for 27 days, and have his pay docked for 54 days. Parliament will need to approve the sanctions.
Asked at FMQs if he would back them, SNP leader John Swinney said he would not because the Tories had “prejudiced” the process.
Swinney pointed to Annie Wells, who as one of the two Tories on the standards committee first recommended the 27-day suspension, and her previous statements about Matheson’s guilt – which he said showed she had prejudged the outcome of the investigation.
Responding, the Tories said they would table a motion calling on Matheson to resign as an MSP – calls which Labour and the LibDems have also made.
Speaking to journalists after the exchange at FMQs, Matheson said he would not resign his seat – but he also said he would “abide by” any decision the parliament made.
NEW: Michael Matheson calls sanctions recommended by Standards Committee “excessive” and says process has been “highly politicised” The former Health Secretary says he’ll abide by what parliament decides and plans to continue as MSP “for many years to come” pic.twitter.com/MH5lja70Ub
— Alan Smith (@Political_AlanS) May 23, 2024
The former health secretary said: “I acknowledge the recommendations that the committee have made.
“I think it's pretty clear, though, that the process has become highly politicised, which has compromised the process and the fairness of the process.
“I also think that the sanctions which they have proposed are excessive and that they are unfair.
“As it stands at the present moment, it will now be a matter for Parliament to decide on the report.
“Once it's presented to them and whatever parliament decides, I'll obviously abide by that.
“But until then, I'll continue to represent my constituents in Falkirk West, as I've had the pleasure of doing for many years, and I intend to do for many years to come.”
The row over Matheson's future comes as the SNP are set to formally launch their General Election campaign.
The First Minister will give a speech in Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon.
