Police assessing second complaint over Michael Matheson iPad bill

The former Health Secretary faced tough sanctions for the incident in Holyrood this week

Mr Matheson has been suspended from Holyrood for 27 days
Author: Molly TulettPublished 1st Jun 2024

Former Scottish Health Secretary Michael Matheson is facing another complaint in relation to his near £11,000 roaming bill on a parliamentary iPad.

Mr Matheson has been banned from Holyrood for 27 days for racking up the bill on the device.

He had originally told parliament the iPad was used for work purposed, before admitting it was his teenage sons who had used it as a WiFi hotspot to stream football while they were on holiday in Morocco over Christmas in 2022.

He resigned his position in February, apologised to Parliament and paid back the bill.

"A further complaint has been received"

Police Scotland said no action was taken following an initial complaint in relation to the matter last November, but they are now looking at another one.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A complaint which had been received in November 2023 was assessed and no further action was taken.

"A further complaint has been received which is being assessed."

Mr Matheson received the heaviest sanction ever given out in the Scottish Parliament earlier this week when MSPs voted 64 to zero to impose a 27-day suspension from Holyrood and the loss of his MSP salary for twice that time.

63 SNP MSPs abstained from the vote.

"Shameful mishandling"

An SNP amendment highlighting the party's concerns that the committee which recommended the sanctions had been prejudiced, "thereby bringing the Parliament into disrepute", was also passed.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said the latest development underlines First Minister John Swinney's "shameful mishandling" of the matter.

He said: "Michael Matheson is not fit to be an MSP and should have the SNP whip removed immediately.

"But John Swinney won't do that because the SNP always put party before country."

The SNP has been asked for comment by PA.

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