MICHAEL MATHESON has refused to stand down as an MSP after First Minister John Swinney claimed the process which recommended he is barred from Holyrood for 27 days was “prejudiced.”

Pressure had been growing in the hours since Holyrood’s standards, procedures and public appointments committee published its verdict against the former health secretary today.

The committee also recommended that Mr Matheson is stripped of his salary for 54 days, with both sanctions to be voted on by MSPs.