Michael Matheson given more time to consider iPad report

Michael Matheson said he did not want the parliamentary investigation to become a "distraction"

Michael Matheson has been given 10 more days to respond to the findings of the parliamentary probe which led to his resignation.

The former health secretary stood down earlier this month after racking up an £11,000 data roaming bill on his parliamentary iPad.

He said the fees were caused by his sons using the device as a hotspot to watch football while in Morocco.

Mr Matheson applied for an extension to respond to the report on 14 February.

He had been given the draft report by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) - the cross-party authority tasked with the running of the parliament - on 8 February and was initially given 14 days to respond before the final version was published.

Minutes of a meeting of the SPCB last week, published on Thursday, show that the body had increased the time he had to respond by 10 days.

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The minute noted the authority's "responsibility to ensure that the member was afforded a fair process, including the opportunity to obtain advice if necessary and to ensure that the report was complete and accurate".

A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament said: "For reasons of fairness to all, and confidentiality of process, we will not comment while the parliamentary investigation is ongoing.

"The SPCB remains committed to openness and transparency and will release all material it can, when it can, in line with its legal obligations."

Mr Matheson initially defended his position when news broke of the iPad issue last year - and had the backing of First Minister Humza Yousaf. He admitted that the bill had been caused by his sons - having previously claimed there was no personal use of the iPad during the holiday.

But earlier this month, Mr Matheson said in his resignation letter to the first minister he wanted to avoid the issue becoming a "distraction".

Initially, he had sought to cover the cost of the bill through a mix of his office budget and parliamentary expenses, but eventually decided to pay it himself following a backlash.

Scottish Conservative Chairman Craig Hoy MSP accused Mr Matheson of "trying to stall for time".

He said: "Michael Matheson should stop trying to hope this goes away, and accept the report's findings as quickly as possible, as well as any possible punishment that will be coming his way."