Summary

  • Former health secretary Michael Matheson is banned from Holyrood for 27 sitting days

  • The sanction followed recommendations of the standards committee to ban Matheson after he racked up an £11,000 bill on a parliamentary iPad while on holiday

  • The SNP did not vote for the sanction and called for a review of the complaints process, arguing it was open to bias and prejudice

  • MSPs later vote to reject calls for Michael Matheson to resign

Live Reporting

  1. Analysis

    Matheson faces toughest punishment ever handed out at Holyrood

    Lynsey Bews
    BBC Scotland political correspondent

    After some confusion earlier over the SNP’s position on this afternoon’s vote, it has been confirmed the party’s MSPs will not back sanctions for Michael Matheson.

    The former health secretary is facing the toughest punishment ever handed out at Holyrood after he was found to have breached the MSP’s code of conduct.

    The first minister and SNP leader John Swinney says he won’t back it, and it’s clear he feels strongly about the fairness of the process. He’s expending significant political capital on defending his friend and colleague.

    But is that wise during a general election, when the cost of living is at the forefront of many voters’ minds?

    Remember, Matheson’s £11,000 ipad data bill was to be picked up by the taxpayer – before he later admitted it had been run up by his children, using the device to watch football on holiday.

    The Scottish Conservatives in particular have seen a campaigning opportunity here, with not one but two Matheson themed election photocalls this week.

  2. Swinney says he won't back Holyrood ban against Matheson

    Watch: FM says he won't back sanctions against Matheson

    First Minister John Swinney has told BBC Scotland he won't back sanctions against the former health secretary Michael Matheson for breaching Parliament's expenses policy.

    That is despite his party's position being to support the punishment handed out by Parliament's standards committee.

    "Michael Matheson should not resign as a member of the Scottish Parliament," Swinney said. "I think the integrity of the Scottish Parliament has been damaged by the way this process has been handled."

    The SNP is seeking to amend the motion to express concerns about the complaints process, arguing it was open to bias and prejudice.

  3. Key Holyrood timings for this afternoon

    Here are the all important timings of the debates and decision time:

    • 2.50-3.20pm Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee's 1st Report, 2024
    • 3.20pm Vote
    • 3.25-5.40pm Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Michael Matheson Resignation
    • 5.40pm Decision Time

    Remember you can watch both debates here with us.

  4. Analysis

    Confusion over SNP approach to Matheson sanctions

    David Wallace Lockhart
    Political correspondent

    There has been confusion about what position the SNP would take with regards to sanctions for Micheal Matheson.

    Last week John Swinney said the process had been “prejudiced” and that he wouldn’t back the proposed punishment for his SNP colleague.

    Last night the SNP’s amendment to the motion to be debated was published. They didn’t try and alter the sanction facing Mr Matheson.

    And the indication then came from the party that SNP MSPs would actually back the punishment, albeit while complaining about the process.

    But that’s shifted again this morning, with Mr Swinney telling the BBC that he will not back the ultimate sanctions. Though he’s been a bit vague about this in other interviews.

    We’ll get a clearer picture of what’s going on in parliament this afternoon. But there’s no denying this has been a confusing 24 hours or so, when the SNP would rather have been focusing on the small matter of a general election.

  5. SNP will not back Matheson ban over £11,000 iPad bill

    Michael Matheson resigned from the government in February following a scandal over his expensesGetty Images

    Michael Matheson resigned from the government in February following a scandal over his expenses

    The SNP will not back a parliamentary ban for Michael Matheson, it has emerged, after First Minister John Swinney sparked confusion over his party's position.

    The standards committee had recommended that Matheson be banned from parliament for 27 sitting days and have his salary withdrawn for 54 days after an £11,000 bill was racked up on his parliamentary iPad.

    BBC Scotland News understands the SNP will call for a review of the complaints process, arguing it was open to bias and prejudice, and will not back the final motion when it comes to the vote at Holyrood later.

    However, all of the other Holyrood parties are expected to vote in favour of the sanctions - meaning Matheson would face the full 27-day ban.

    Read more here.

  6. Good afternoon

    Former Health Secretary Michael Matheson was in the chamber last weekPA

    Former Health Secretary Michael Matheson was in the chamber last week

    Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the standards committee debate on the sanctions former health secretary Michael Matheson should face.

    There will then follow a debate, to be led by the Scottish Tories, calling on Matheson to resign.

    You can watch both debates live here with us.

    Just click on the play icon at the top of this page.