First Minister John Swinney has said parliament must undertake a “fair process in dealing with difficult issues” as Holyrood is still to vote on potential sanctions for MSP Michael Matheson.
The Scottish Parliament’s Standards Committee recommended a 27-day Holyrood suspension for the former health secretary, as well as a 54-day loss of wages.
It comes following an investigation after Matheson racked up data roaming charges of almost £11,000 on his parliamentary iPad.
He initially claimed he had done this while using the device for work purposes on a family holiday to Morocco – but later confessed his teenage sons had used the device as a hotspot so they could watch football during the trip.
Swinney said he accepted Matheson had “made mistakes”, but that fair process must be followed in parliament.
He told STV News: “What I’ve got to make sure is that parliament undertakes a fair process in dealing with these difficult issues.
“Parliament will address these issues in the course of this week and we’ll decide exactly what is going to happen.
PA Media“For me its important that parliament acts properly and that’s the issue I’ve set out to parliament.
“I’ve always accepted that Michael Matheson made mistakes, I told parliament that last week and I accept that there has got to be a sanction.
“I’ve never said anything other than that.
“I just want parliament to go about it properly and fairly with the interests of natural justice involved because that’s what we’d expect for any other member of the public.”
The Scottish Conservatives are set to force a vote in Holyrood, calling on Matheson to resign as the MSP for Falkirk West.
They are pushing for a by-election in the constituency to be held on July 4 – the same day as the General Election.
Speaking at the Kelpies in Mr Matheson’s constituency, Scottish Tory leader Ross said the former minister should stand down and accused the SNP of “rallying around defending him”.
“The Scottish Conservatives are bringing forward a vote this week urging Michael Matheson to resign so we can have a by-election here in Falkirk West on the same day as the General Election,” he said.
The vote is unlikely to pass due to a lack of support from the Scottish Greens, with party MSP Ross Greer calling it “cynical”.
“I think every MSP should consider their vote on Wednesday,” Mr Ross added.
“This is something that John Swinney has staked his reputation on.
“He would rather support his good friend than defend the integrity of parliament.
“Michael Matheson lied to Parliament, he lied to the Presiding Officer and, most importantly, he lied to the public.”
The First Minister, he added, has “made Michael Matheson out to be the victim here”.
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