Skip to main content
SNP's defence of Michael Matheson ‘straight of Boris Johnson's playbook’
Michael Matheson, May 16, 2024

THE SNP’s defence of former health secretary Michael Matheson is playing “straight out of Boris Johnson’s Tory sleaze playbook,”Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said.

The Falkirk West MSP is facing a 27-sitting day suspension from Holyrood over the near £11,000 iPad data roaming bill he initially claimed had been for constituency work.

He U-turned before it later emerged his teenage sons had used the iPad as a hotspot to watch football during a family holiday to Morocco around Christmas 2022.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney speaking during a press conference at Grassmarket Apex Hotel, Edinburgh, following the 2026 Holyrood elections, May 9, 2026
Features / 11 May 2026
11 May 2026

The new Scottish Parliament looks set to continue a cycle of managerial tinkering while public services face the axe, writes STEPHEN LOW

THE GREAT ILLUSIONIST: Scotland First Minister John Swinney (centre) with assorted worthies at Wheatley Housing Development in Wallyford, East Lothian, apparently keen on accelerating housebuilding throughout Scotland, January 2026
Holyrood / 6 May 2026
6 May 2026

As Scotland heads to the polls, the main parties offer variations on the same script, says MATT KERR

Scottish Labour's Katy Clark, May 10, 2021
Scotland / 26 January 2026
26 January 2026
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, September 1, 2025
Scotland / 19 January 2026
19 January 2026