SNP facing defeat in vote over Michael Matheson expenses scandal

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is facing a potential defeat in a vote over proposals to suspend and dock the pay of former health secretary Michael Matheson. The controversy stems from an £11,000 bill racked up on his parliamentary iPad during a family holiday to Morocco.

Matheson, who resigned from the government in February following the scandal, is also facing a motion from the Scottish Conservatives calling for his resignation from Holyrood. The standards committee has recommended a suspension for 27 sitting days and the withdrawal of his salary for 54 days.

First Minister John Swinney has refused to back the sanction, claiming the committee was biased against Matheson. However, the Scottish Greens have confirmed their support for the punishment and have warned against any attempts by the SNP to water down the sanctions.

MSPs will debate the recommended punishment on Wednesday afternoon, with Matheson insisting he will not stand down as an MSP. The controversy has sparked demands for a by-election, with Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross calling for Matheson to quit parliament.

The integrity of the process has been called into question, with concerns raised about the fairness of the sanctions and the handling of the case. Despite the controversy, Matheson has apologized for the bill and agreed to pay it personally, but the fallout from the scandal continues to rock Scottish politics.