Michael Matheson faces suspension over £11k expenses scandal after Holyrood watchdog backs sanction

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Holyrood watchdog has backed a suspension for disgraced SNP MSP Michael Matheson over the £11,000 data roaming scandal.A source predicted a ban of more than ten days, which at Westminster could see him sacked by voters.The insider said: “It would be outrageous if Matheson was suspended and he clung on to office.“He should do the decent thing and stand down now and force a by-election.”Matheson quit as Health Secretary in February over the massive bill he racked up on an iPad during a family holiday to Morocco.He initially pleaded ignorance and was content for the taxpayer to foot the bill for the data roaming.But after facing sustained questions he admitted his children had used the device to stream football.Holyrood bosses found Matheson guilty of breaching the MSP’s code of conduct, including on expenses rules.The parliament’s cross-party Standards Committee will tomorrow announce its recommended punishment.The Record can reveal suspension will be the sanction - but MSPs were divided on whether it should be for longer than 10 days.It is understood Matheson's supporters were hopeful of a five day suspension.Voters can “recall” errant MPs if they are suspended for at least ten sitting days, but no such power exists for the public at Holyrood.A Holyrood source said there was a view on committee that the optics would be bad if a 10 day-plus sanction was applied and Matheson stayed on as an MSP.But the source said they anticipated a ban from Parliament of more than ten days.Matheson was quizzed by members of the committee this month and the recommendation will go to the full parliament for a vote.The decision will inevitably fuel calls for Matheson, an MSP since 1999, to stand down from Holyrood voluntarily.Asked in March