Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 29 May 2024
29 May 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Michael Matheson (Complaint)
I start by saying that Michael Matheson was found by a cross-party group MSPs, including members of the Scottish National Party, to have breached the standards expected of him. The First Minister has not criticised the findings of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body. Secondly, breaches such as this should be proportionately sanctioned. Michael Matheson has paid back the roaming costs, and there has been no cost to the public purse. His actions have had consequences. He lost his Cabinet position, despite being one of the longest-serving ministers of this Parliament. He has faced considerable reputational damage and significant intrusion in his personal life.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-013368, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
As convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, I have the responsibility of lodging and speaking to motions that seek the Parlia...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes)
SNP
I start by saying that Michael Matheson was found by a cross-party group MSPs, including members of the Scottish National Party, to have breached the standar...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I find this very difficult. Because the Scottish Government amendment specifically references a referral to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, I, as an ...
Kate Forbes
SNP
I thank the member for those comments, which are on the record. Presiding Office, I hope that you will look favourably on a slight extension to my comments. ...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Will the member give way?
Kate Forbes
SNP
I have only four minutes. I would really value getting to the end of my speech, if that is okay. Parliament must engage with those concerns, because to dis...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member give way on that point?
Kate Forbes
SNP
If I could get to the end of these comments, I will. Stephen Kerr, who was a member of the committee, said, and I quote at length: “I concluded that I coul...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Will the member take an intervention, as she has mentioned me by name?
Kate Forbes
SNP
If the member wants to intervene, I ask him, was he right then, and is he right now?
Stephen Kerr
Con
I am grateful to the Deputy First Minister for giving way, but her amendment is nothing but an attack on the integrity of a member of the Parliament. Does sh...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Kate Forbes. Given what Kate Forbes has been through during the past year, does she not recognise that this is an attack on an honourable member and that it ...
Kate Forbes
SNP
I have been very clear that my remarks relate to the principle—not the personality—and I invite Stephen Kerr to reflect on that point precisely in his remark...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
We are debating a report from the Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. Its representation is made up of the three largest pa...
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Douglas Ross
Con
I will not. I am going to make this point. The only person—Interruption. If I get time, I will take the intervention. The only MSP who raised complaints dur...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please continue, Mr Ross.
Douglas Ross
Con
I am unsure. Are we in uncharted territory where the SNP— Interruption. I do not know whether I will get extra time for interventions, but maybe Alasdair Al...
Alasdair Allan
SNP
Douglas Ross might have forgotten but, when I attempted to intervene on him some minutes ago, he was making the claim that I had never raised the issue of a ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please conclude, Mr Ross.
Douglas Ross
Con
Therefore, I was correct that there were no public statements from any MSP apart from John Swinney, and there was no answer—Interruption. Members should lis...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please conclude, Mr Ross.
Douglas Ross
Con
People across Scotland are watching in disbelief and they are watching the SNP. 15:12
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee for its report on the complaint about Michael Matheson. It is difficult to sit in judgmen...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
I hope to be brief in my comments. The Scottish Greens will support the sanction recommended by the committee, and Mr Matheson should be held accountable for...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
We will vote in favour of the recommendation by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. However much we might dislike the outcomes, we w...
Alasdair Allan
SNP
Will the member give way?
Willie Rennie
LD
Not just now. All members, including the SNP members, agreed that Mr Matheson failed to inform the corporate body, during the period 9 to 16 November 2023, ...
Alasdair Allan
SNP
Will the member give way?