Holyrood committee backs 27-day ban for Michael Matheson over iPad bill
The former health secretary racked up a near-£11,000 data roaming bill while on holiday in Morocco
Last updated 23rd May 2024
Former health secretary Michael Matheson has been suspended from the Scottish Parliament for 27 days, after racking up a near-£11,000 data roaming bill.
The Falkirk West MSP, who was found to have breached the MSP code of conduct by attempting to use expenses and office costs to cover the bill for a parliamentary iPad, will also lose his salary for 54 days
READ MORE: Michael Matheson breached MSPs code of conduct, says parliamentary body
When news of the bill emerged, Michael Matheson announced he would cover the costs himself, and revealed the bill had been the result of his children using the device as a wifi hotspot to watch football during a holiday in Morocco.
The former minister initially denied there had been any inappropriate use of the device, when asked by journalists.
After months of pressure on him, Mr Matheson stood down as health secretary in February.
READ MORE: Health Secretary makes personal statement to Holyrood over £11K iPad bill
The SNP MSP's punishment was handed down by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee at Holyrood on Thursday.
Committee convenor Marin Whitfield used his casting vote to recommend the suspension.
Committee convenor uses casting vote to recommend suspension
It will now be subject to a vote in the Parliament.
Mr Whitfield said: "A proposal for a period of exclusion of 27 sitting days was made by Annie Wells. (Tory MSP) Oliver Mundell indicated his support for this proposal.
"Jackie Dunbar and Alasdair Allan did not agree with this proposal. I did not cast my personal view in favour of the option but, in my capacity as convener, recognising that the committee would otherwise not have been in a position to make a recommendation, I supported the proposal for exclusion of a period of 27 sitting days.
"A majority of the committee therefore supported a recommendation of exclusion for a period of 27 sitting days."
He said the sanction would have been worse but for "mitigatory factors, including the impact on the member and his family".
Mr Allan said he thought the 27-day sanction was "extremely high" compared to previous cases, though he recognised the need for a penalty.
Ms Dunbar said she concurred with him.
"Significant damage" to the reputation of parliament
Mr Mundell said there had been "significant damage" to the reputation of the Parliament and he would have backed a longer suspension - though he recognised the need for a majority view.
"Many in the real world would have faced the very real possibility of losing their job in the same circumstances", he said.
Mr Whitfield said during the committee hearing on Thursday the entirety of the £10,941.74 bill had been paid.
The move is likely to increase pressure on Mr Matheson to stand down as an MSP, given the Scottish Parliament has no way of removing elected members in the way the UK Parliament does.
South of the border, a suspension of 10 sitting days is enough to spark a recall petition, which allows constituents to remove an MP if 10% sign the document.
READ MORE:** **By-election to go ahead in Margaret Ferrier's constituency as constituents recall MP
This was most recently used in Rutherglen and Hamilton West following the breach of Covid regulations by former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier and resulted in Labour taking the seat with a massive swing.