Under-fire Michael Matheson in fresh scandal after breaking own government's law on short-term lets

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Disgraced Health Minister Michael Matheson broke his own government’s law on short-term lets over his luxury holiday home, we can reveal.

The SNP MSP ignored Scottish Government legislation around holiday rentals when he failed to declare his licence and energy rating on adverts for the rural cottage on Skye.Three days after the Sunday Mail revealed ownership of the £200,000 home, ads on rental sites and the property’s own website were then updated with the missing information.

Opposition politicians claimed it was another cover-up by Matheson and urged FM Humza Yousaf to finally ditch the under-fire minister.Last month, Matheson was forced to admit that his family ran up an £11,000 data bill watching football matches on holiday, which he initially said was “parliamentary business”.Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie MSP said: “Once again the embattled Health Minister has found himself at the heart of a scandal.

This will pile more pressure on Mr Matheson as his flagrant disregard of his own government’s rules comes to light. It’s time for Michael Matheson to step aside as he is clearly preoccupied when his entire focus should be on tackling the crisis in the NHS.”The Scottish Government legislation on short-term lets came into force on October 1, 2022, and owners had until October 1, 2023, to obtain a licence to keep operating.According to the new laws, the homeowner “must ensure that any advert or listing placed on or after you are granted a licence includes your licence number” and all online adverts should be updated with the number “as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving your licence.”Matheson was granted a temporary licence by Highland Council on September 18, 2023, and according to the law “you should