The Scottish National Party (SNP) is facing accusations of misusing public funds following revelations that civil servants prepared a briefing defending Michael Matheson, a former health secretary embroiled in a scandal over an £11,000 iPad data bill.
The controversy stems from a family holiday Matheson took to Morocco during Christmas 2022. Initially, he claimed the substantial data roaming charges were incurred solely for parliamentary work. However, it later emerged that his teenage sons had used the device to stream football matches.
Despite the evolving narrative, John Swinney, a prominent SNP figure, continued to support his colleague. This support persisted even after a Holyrood committee recommended a severe punishment for Matheson, including a 54-day salary loss and a 27-day suspension.
On May 23, 2024, the same day the recommended punishment was announced, civil servants prepared a briefing highlighting Matheson's achievements. This document, intended to assist Swinney in addressing questions at Holyrood, included information about Matheson's work on fire sprinkler regulations and his role in securing a significant pay increase for junior doctors.
"This is an outrageous abuse of taxpayers' money by the SNP. There is no justification for the SNP roping in civil servants to help them defend John Swinney's friend and colleague who lied and stole from the taxpayer."
The Scottish Conservative Party has strongly criticized this action, viewing it as an inappropriate use of public resources. Craig Hoy, the party's chairman, labeled it an "outrageous abuse of taxpayers' money."
This incident has raised questions about the impartiality of civil servants, who are expected to remain politically neutral. The Scottish Parliament, established in 1999, has strict guidelines regarding the use of public resources for political purposes.
The scandal has had political repercussions for the SNP. In the recent general election, the party lost the Falkirk constituency, previously considered their safest seat in Scotland, to the Labour Party. This loss is seen by many as a direct result of the controversy surrounding Matheson and the SNP's handling of the situation.
The Scottish Government has defended the briefing, stating that ministers are required to respond to parliamentary questions, and the information provided reflects anticipated issues. However, this explanation has done little to quell the criticism from opposition parties and the public.
This controversy adds to the challenges faced by the SNP, which has been the largest party in the Scottish Parliament since 2007 and has long advocated for Scottish independence. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the party's standing and its push for independence in the long term.