Michael Matheson: SNP minister lastly quits after iPad invoice row
Michael Matheson has lastly give up as Scotland’s well being secretary within the wake of a scandal sparked by him racking up nearly £11,000 in iPad information roaming prices.
Thye SNP minister is standing down to stop the row changing into a ‘distraction’ to the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, he advised First Minister Humza Yousaf.
It comes after weeks of strain on Mr Matheson to resign – or Mr Yousaf to sack him – over the eye-watering invoice he ran up on his official system and tried to cost to taxpayers.
The large charges had been incurred throughout his and his household’s Christmas break to Morocco.
In November, Mr Matheson admitted in an emotional assertion to the Scottish Parliament that his teenage sons had used the iPad to look at soccer whereas overseas.
It emerged that greater than £7,000 of the utilization got here on January 2 final 12 months, the identical day as an Old Firm fixture between Celtic and Rangers.
Mr Matheson’s admission got here regardless of him having beforehand insisted there had been no private use of the iPad.
He additionally initially tried to depart taxpayers to select up the invoice – by claiming it by way of parliamentary bills – though he later stated he would pay the complete prices himself.
Following Mr Matheson’s resignation as we speak, the Scottish Tories instantly demanded Mr Yousaf clarify why he beforehand defended his well being secretary as a ‘man of integrity’.
Michael Matheson has lastly give up as Scotland’s well being secretary in wake of a scandal sparked by him racking up nearly £11,000 in iPad information roaming prices
Scottish Conservatives chief Douglas Ross stated: ‘Michael Matheson has lastly resigned after anticipating taxpayers to foot an £11,000 invoice for his iPad roaming prices.
‘Humza Yousaf should clarify why he defended him as a “man of integrity and honesty” when he knew his former well being secretary had lied.’
Scottish Labour deputy chief Jackie Baillie stated: ‘While I welcome the information that Michael Matheson has lastly gone, the very fact is the First Minister has huge inquiries to reply over his lack of judgment.
‘While our NHS is in disaster, Humza Yousaf has proven his weak point by placing the SNP earlier than our NHS.
‘Now greater than ever we’d like a well being minister centered on the disaster at hand.
‘It’s clear that the First Minister has no plan to avoid wasting our NHS and that shuffling the SNP deckchairs will make no distinction – it’s time for change.’
In a resignation letter despatched to Mr Yousaf as we speak, Mr Matheson wrote: ‘Having requested that the Socttish Parliament Corporate Body assessment my information roaming prices from final 12 months, I’m aware that this course of will conclude within the coming weeks.
‘I’ve nonetheless not obtained the findings of their assessment, nonetheless, it’s in the very best curiosity of myself and the Government for me to now step down to make sure this doesn’t grow to be a distraction to taking ahead the Government’s agenda.’
