Presiding officer has her hands full during rowdy FMQs sesssion
If you're just joining us, the presiding officer Alison Johnstone has had to continually step in to calm rowdy MSPs.
One intervention came after Douglas Ross's final question about a lack of trust in the Scottish government and first minister
The first minister insisted "the SNP still continues to be trusted by the people of Scotland", in stark contrast to the Conservatives.
Yousaf says "the prime minister quite literally gambled with the lives of the most vulnerable" and accuses Rishi Sunak of punching down on one of the country's most marginalised communities.
Rishi Sunak is facing calls to apologise after joking about Labour's position on trans people when the mum of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey - who was transgender - was in Parliament.
"That's a disgrace, that is shameful," argues Yousaf.
Sarwar: 'Government has its head in the sand'
Sarwar accuses Yousaf of having his "head in the sand".
The Scottish Labour leader also accuses the Scottish government of failing 150,000 women who missed out on cervical screening since 1997 due to a coding error.
He says about 65,000 women are still waiting to have their cases reviewed.
The FM says the Covid pandemic has created "really significant challenges" in health services across the UK.
He adds that women affected by the error who are at high risk were contacted as the first priority.
'We are ensuring addtional resources to the ambulance service' - Yousaf
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
An ambulance at an A&E departmentImage caption: An ambulance at an A&E department
Sarwar asks the first minister to tell the chamber how many people
called an ambulance last year but died before they could reach an accident and
emergency department.
The first minister says, while he does not have that figure in
front of him, part of winter funding announced is earmarked to recruit staff
for the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Yousaf adds: "I take real exception to Anas Sarwar's
characterisation in his question that nobody in the government understands the
real challenges the NHS is under. We do.
"There's not a single person on the front benches here who
doesn't understand the significant challenge that the NHS is under and that's
why we're ensuring additional resources to the ambulance service."
He concludes that he is happy to write to Sarwar to outline
plans to tackle the "far too long" ambulance waiting times.
Party leaders pay tribute to 'murdered' bus driver
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
Anas Sarwar at FMQsImage caption: Anas Sarwar at FMQs
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is next up, and he echoes statements earlier shared by Douglas Ross and Humza Yousaf, paying tribute to bus driver Keith Rollinson who died following an alleged assault at Elgin bus station this week.
'Why was he willing to tolerate such dishonesty?' - Ross
The Scottish Tory leader tells the chamber Humza Yousaf stood by Michael Matheson and has staked his own reputation on backing him.
"Why was he willing to tolerate such dishonesty?".
The first minister again turns to the recovery of the NHS in Scotland, where he cites record funding and staffing.
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has to intervene on a number of occasions to calm the chamber.
Yousaf continues on the NHS and says there has been no strike action here in Scotland and he lambasts the Tories' record on health.
Ross then says: "It's like Humza Yousaf doesn't realise his disgraced former health secretary resigned this morning," says Douglas Ross.
He points out the first minister backed Matheson to "the hilt".
"Humza Yousaf's own reputation is in tatters over the scandal he looks weak."
He questions how anyone can trust a "single word" from this government again.
'Mistakes can happen' - Yousaf
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Humza Yousaf at FMQsImage caption: Humza Yousaf at FMQs
The first minister reminds Douglas Ross that the Scottish Tory leader previously "forgot to declare tens of thousands of pounds of income".
"So mistakes can happen," he adds.
Humza Yousaf insists that Michael Matheson has apologised in his personal statement in the chamber.
He again reiterates that Matheson has been afforded "due process" and he defends his record on the recovery of the NHS.
Yousaf should have sacked Matheson, says Ross
Ross says there is "not a bit of regret" from Humza Yousaf and he points out Matheson has not YET received the results of parliamentary probe into the iPad scandal.
The Scottish Tory leader says Matheson made a "false claim for thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money".
"He's resigned but Humza Yousaf should have sacked him the minute it became clear Michael Matheson had not told the truth."
He points out that in Michael Matheson's resignation there is "not one word of apology".
Ross calls on the first minister to apologise.
Yousaf reminds chamber Ross called Boris Johnson an 'honest man'
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
Humza Yousaf at FMQs.Image caption: Humza Yousaf at FMQs.
The first minister turns to the resignation of Matheson and says the former health secretary did make a mistake but he wanted "due process" to be followed.
Humza Yousaf says the Conservatives talking about integrity is galling and he reminds the chamber that Ross called Boris Johnson "an honest man".
"If there is one party in this chamber, presiding officer, that has no credibility in talking about integrity in public life it's the Conservatives."
How much does FM regret backing Matheson?
Scottish ParliamentCopyright: Scottish Parliament
Douglas Ross at FMQsImage caption: Douglas Ross at FMQs
Douglas Ross says Michael Matheson has finally resigned as health secretary months after it emerged he was dishonest.
Humza Yousaf had described Matheson as a "man of integrity and honesty"
Scottish Tory leader Ross says: "How much does he now regret those words?"
First Minister's Questions gets under way
Humza Yousaf is in his seat seat and Douglas Ross is preparing to stand as FMQs gets under way.
Remember, to watch live with us you can just hit the play icon at the top of the page.
Yousaf praises Matheson's 'tremendous service'
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Humza Yousaf appointed Michael Matheson as health secretary earlier this yearImage caption: Humza Yousaf appointed Michael Matheson as health secretary earlier this year
Humza Yousaf has praised Michael Matheson’s “tremendous service
in government” as he accepted his health secretary’s resignation.
In a letter, the FM highlighted Matheson’s work on strengthening
legal powers to tackle psychological abuse during his time as justice secretary,
his work in building Scotland’s “hydrogen economy” while net zero, transport
and energy secretary, and his development of a new 10-year cancer strategy in
his final role as “highlights” of his tenure in government.
He also praised his work in securing a pay agreement with junior
doctors and averting strike action within Scotland’s NHS.
But he said it was “right” that Matheson fully engages with
the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body review into his iPad data roaming charges.
The FM wrote: “I know that you will continue to represent the people of Falkirk
West with that same energy and dedication.
“I wish you and
your family only the very best.”
Humza Yousaf faces a grilling in FMQs shortly
In a few minutes, Humza Yousaf will face a grilling from Douglas Ross and Anas Sarwar, with both almost certain to ask about the resignation of Scotland's Health Secretary Michael Matheson.
Stay with us here where we will bring you reports and analysis of FMQs and reaction to the resignation.
To watch FMQs, just click on the play icon at the top of the page.
What are the opposition parties saying?
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has posted his reaction to Michael Matheson's resignation on XImage caption: Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has posted his reaction to Michael Matheson's resignation on X
Taking to X, formerly known as twitter, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross says Michael Matheson has finally resigned after expecting taxpayers to foot an £11k bill for his iPad roaming charges.
"Humza Yousaf must explain why he defended him as a 'man of integrity and honesty' when he knew his former health secretary had lied."
Scottish Labour's health spokesperson Jackie Baillie
said: “While I
welcome the news that Michael Matheson has finally gone, the fact is the first
minister has big questions to answer over his lack of judgement.
“While our NHS is
in crisis, Humza Yousaf has shown his weakness by putting the SNP before our
NHS.
“It’s clear that
the first minister has no plan to save our NHS and that shuffling the SNP
deckchairs will make no difference - it’s time for change.”
Who is Michael Matheson?
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Michael Matheson endorsed Humza Yousaf to replace Nicola SturgeonImage caption: Michael Matheson endorsed Humza Yousaf to replace Nicola Sturgeon
Michael Matheson was one of Humza Yousaf’s biggest
supporters when the FM was voted in to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.
Initially elected as a list MSP for Central Scotland in
1999, he became MSP for Falkirk West in 2007 when the SNP swept to power at
Holyrood.
He served as a backbencher until 2011 when Alex Salmond
made him minister for public health.
His brief changed in 2014 when he became justice secretary
under Nicola Sturgeon.
Matheson’s time in that role was the subject of scrutiny by
opponents who claimed he breached the ministerial code over the Scottish Police
Authority’s (SPA) decision to allow former chief constable Phil
Gormley to return to work while misconduct investigations were being carried
out in 2018.
Mr Matheson was accused of “unduly influencing” the SPA, but a
reshuffle later saw him moved to the position of transport secretary.
The FM moved him to health secretary in March last year, but
by November it had been revealed he had incurred a near-£11,000 roaming charge
having taken a parliamentary iPad on a family holiday to Morocco.
Humza Yousaf repeatedly backed Matheson, calling him a “man of
integrity and honesty” and denying he had been misled.
His judgement will likely be the focus of opposition leaders’
attacks in the chamber at First Minister's Questions, which is scheduled to begin at 12:00.
You will be able to watch that Holyrood session with us by clicking on the play button at the top of this page.
The iPad charges, initially paid out of the public purse, were incurred during a trip to Morocco in late 2022.
In his resignation letter to First Minister Humza Yousaf, Mr Matheson said he had still not received the corporate body's report.
He added: "However, it is in the best interest of myself and the government for me to now step down to ensure this does not become a distraction to taking forward the government's agenda."
The key dates in the Michael Matheson iPad scandal
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Michael Matheson has been embroiled in a scandal surrounding a mobile data billImage caption: Michael Matheson has been embroiled in a scandal surrounding a mobile data bill
Michael Matheson had been hoping to ride out the political storm over an £11,000 data roaming bill charged to his parliamentary iPad.
The fees were initially paid out of the public purse, with Matheson insisting the device was used for work.
After the story was reported in the press, Matheson blamed an out-of-date Sim card and agreed to pay the money back.
He had been steadfastly backed by First Minister Humza Yousaf.
But in an emotional statement to parliament last year he admitted the iPad had been used by his sons to watch football via a hotspot.
BreakingMichael Matheson resigns as health secretary
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Michael Matheson has resignedImage caption: Michael Matheson has resigned
Welcome to our live coverage of the Scottish Parliament where Scotland's Health Secretary Michael Matheson, who racked up an £11,000 bill on his parliamentary iPad while on holiday, has resigned.
You can follow all the latest developments on this story here with us and watch the
action at FMQs unfold live by pressing the play button above.
Live Reporting
Edited by Paul McLaren
All times stated are UK
Presiding officer has her hands full during rowdy FMQs sesssion
If you're just joining us, the presiding officer Alison Johnstone has had to continually step in to calm rowdy MSPs.
One intervention came after Douglas Ross's final question about a lack of trust in the Scottish government and first minister
The first minister insisted "the SNP still continues to be trusted by the people of Scotland", in stark contrast to the Conservatives.
Yousaf says "the prime minister quite literally gambled with the lives of the most vulnerable" and accuses Rishi Sunak of punching down on one of the country's most marginalised communities.
Rishi Sunak is facing calls to apologise after joking about Labour's position on trans people when the mum of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey - who was transgender - was in Parliament.
"That's a disgrace, that is shameful," argues Yousaf.
Sarwar: 'Government has its head in the sand'
Sarwar accuses Yousaf of having his "head in the sand".
The Scottish Labour leader also accuses the Scottish government of failing 150,000 women who missed out on cervical screening since 1997 due to a coding error.
He says about 65,000 women are still waiting to have their cases reviewed.
The FM says the Covid pandemic has created "really significant challenges" in health services across the UK.
He adds that women affected by the error who are at high risk were contacted as the first priority.
'We are ensuring addtional resources to the ambulance service' - Yousaf
Sarwar asks the first minister to tell the chamber how many people called an ambulance last year but died before they could reach an accident and emergency department.
The first minister says, while he does not have that figure in front of him, part of winter funding announced is earmarked to recruit staff for the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Yousaf adds: "I take real exception to Anas Sarwar's characterisation in his question that nobody in the government understands the real challenges the NHS is under. We do.
"There's not a single person on the front benches here who doesn't understand the significant challenge that the NHS is under and that's why we're ensuring additional resources to the ambulance service."
He concludes that he is happy to write to Sarwar to outline plans to tackle the "far too long" ambulance waiting times.
Party leaders pay tribute to 'murdered' bus driver
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is next up, and he echoes statements earlier shared by Douglas Ross and Humza Yousaf, paying tribute to bus driver Keith Rollinson who died following an alleged assault at Elgin bus station this week.
'Why was he willing to tolerate such dishonesty?' - Ross
The Scottish Tory leader tells the chamber Humza Yousaf stood by Michael Matheson and has staked his own reputation on backing him.
"Why was he willing to tolerate such dishonesty?".
The first minister again turns to the recovery of the NHS in Scotland, where he cites record funding and staffing.
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has to intervene on a number of occasions to calm the chamber.
Yousaf continues on the NHS and says there has been no strike action here in Scotland and he lambasts the Tories' record on health.
Ross then says: "It's like Humza Yousaf doesn't realise his disgraced former health secretary resigned this morning," says Douglas Ross.
He points out the first minister backed Matheson to "the hilt".
"Humza Yousaf's own reputation is in tatters over the scandal he looks weak."
He questions how anyone can trust a "single word" from this government again.
'Mistakes can happen' - Yousaf
The first minister reminds Douglas Ross that the Scottish Tory leader previously "forgot to declare tens of thousands of pounds of income".
"So mistakes can happen," he adds.
Humza Yousaf insists that Michael Matheson has apologised in his personal statement in the chamber.
He again reiterates that Matheson has been afforded "due process" and he defends his record on the recovery of the NHS.
Yousaf should have sacked Matheson, says Ross
Ross says there is "not a bit of regret" from Humza Yousaf and he points out Matheson has not YET received the results of parliamentary probe into the iPad scandal.
The Scottish Tory leader says Matheson made a "false claim for thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money".
"He's resigned but Humza Yousaf should have sacked him the minute it became clear Michael Matheson had not told the truth."
He points out that in Michael Matheson's resignation there is "not one word of apology".
Ross calls on the first minister to apologise.
Yousaf reminds chamber Ross called Boris Johnson an 'honest man'
The first minister turns to the resignation of Matheson and says the former health secretary did make a mistake but he wanted "due process" to be followed.
Humza Yousaf says the Conservatives talking about integrity is galling and he reminds the chamber that Ross called Boris Johnson "an honest man".
"If there is one party in this chamber, presiding officer, that has no credibility in talking about integrity in public life it's the Conservatives."
How much does FM regret backing Matheson?
Douglas Ross says Michael Matheson has finally resigned as health secretary months after it emerged he was dishonest.
Humza Yousaf had described Matheson as a "man of integrity and honesty"
Scottish Tory leader Ross says: "How much does he now regret those words?"
First Minister's Questions gets under way
Humza Yousaf is in his seat seat and Douglas Ross is preparing to stand as FMQs gets under way.
Remember, to watch live with us you can just hit the play icon at the top of the page.
Yousaf praises Matheson's 'tremendous service'
Humza Yousaf has praised Michael Matheson’s “tremendous service in government” as he accepted his health secretary’s resignation.
In a letter, the FM highlighted Matheson’s work on strengthening legal powers to tackle psychological abuse during his time as justice secretary, his work in building Scotland’s “hydrogen economy” while net zero, transport and energy secretary, and his development of a new 10-year cancer strategy in his final role as “highlights” of his tenure in government.
He also praised his work in securing a pay agreement with junior doctors and averting strike action within Scotland’s NHS.
But he said it was “right” that Matheson fully engages with the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body review into his iPad data roaming charges.
The FM wrote: “I know that you will continue to represent the people of Falkirk West with that same energy and dedication.
“I wish you and your family only the very best.”
Humza Yousaf faces a grilling in FMQs shortly
In a few minutes, Humza Yousaf will face a grilling from Douglas Ross and Anas Sarwar, with both almost certain to ask about the resignation of Scotland's Health Secretary Michael Matheson.
Stay with us here where we will bring you reports and analysis of FMQs and reaction to the resignation.
To watch FMQs, just click on the play icon at the top of the page.
What are the opposition parties saying?
Taking to X, formerly known as twitter, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross says Michael Matheson has finally resigned after expecting taxpayers to foot an £11k bill for his iPad roaming charges.
"Humza Yousaf must explain why he defended him as a 'man of integrity and honesty' when he knew his former health secretary had lied."
Scottish Labour's health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “While I welcome the news that Michael Matheson has finally gone, the fact is the first minister has big questions to answer over his lack of judgement.
“While our NHS is in crisis, Humza Yousaf has shown his weakness by putting the SNP before our NHS.
“It’s clear that the first minister has no plan to save our NHS and that shuffling the SNP deckchairs will make no difference - it’s time for change.”
Who is Michael Matheson?
Michael Matheson was one of Humza Yousaf’s biggest supporters when the FM was voted in to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.
Initially elected as a list MSP for Central Scotland in 1999, he became MSP for Falkirk West in 2007 when the SNP swept to power at Holyrood.
He served as a backbencher until 2011 when Alex Salmond made him minister for public health.
His brief changed in 2014 when he became justice secretary under Nicola Sturgeon.
Matheson’s time in that role was the subject of scrutiny by opponents who claimed he breached the ministerial code over the Scottish Police Authority’s (SPA) decision to allow former chief constable Phil Gormley to return to work while misconduct investigations were being carried out in 2018.
Mr Matheson was accused of “unduly influencing” the SPA, but a reshuffle later saw him moved to the position of transport secretary.
The FM moved him to health secretary in March last year, but by November it had been revealed he had incurred a near-£11,000 roaming charge having taken a parliamentary iPad on a family holiday to Morocco.
Humza Yousaf repeatedly backed Matheson, calling him a “man of integrity and honesty” and denying he had been misled.
His judgement will likely be the focus of opposition leaders’ attacks in the chamber at First Minister's Questions, which is scheduled to begin at 12:00.
You will be able to watch that Holyrood session with us by clicking on the play button at the top of this page.
Why has Matheson quit?
Matheson said he was standing down because he did not want the row over his £11,000 iPad bill to become a distraction.
It comes ahead of the publication of an investigation into the incident by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body.
The iPad charges, initially paid out of the public purse, were incurred during a trip to Morocco in late 2022.
In his resignation letter to First Minister Humza Yousaf, Mr Matheson said he had still not received the corporate body's report.
He added: "However, it is in the best interest of myself and the government for me to now step down to ensure this does not become a distraction to taking forward the government's agenda."
The key dates in the Michael Matheson iPad scandal
Michael Matheson had been hoping to ride out the political storm over an £11,000 data roaming bill charged to his parliamentary iPad.
The fees were initially paid out of the public purse, with Matheson insisting the device was used for work.
After the story was reported in the press, Matheson blamed an out-of-date Sim card and agreed to pay the money back.
He had been steadfastly backed by First Minister Humza Yousaf.
But in an emotional statement to parliament last year he admitted the iPad had been used by his sons to watch football via a hotspot.
Click here for a reminder of the key events.
BreakingMichael Matheson resigns as health secretary
Welcome to our live coverage of the Scottish Parliament where Scotland's Health Secretary Michael Matheson, who racked up an £11,000 bill on his parliamentary iPad while on holiday, has resigned.
You can follow all the latest developments on this story here with us and watch the action at FMQs unfold live by pressing the play button above.