iPad Minister Matheson's bid to delay 'damning' report

Former health secretary Michael Matheson is battling to cling onto his job as an MSP as he pleads for more time to challenge a report into his £11,000 iPad bill.

He had initially been set a deadline of today to respond to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body after receiving the findings two weeks ago.

The report is expected to reveal new evidence about how he misled Holyrood officials over the expenses claim for data roaming run up during a family holiday in Morocco.

He finally admitted that a majority of the bill was racked up because his sons watched football matches

Former health secretary Michael Matheson is challenging a report into his £11,000 iPad bill

A source told the Mail that Mr Matheson is understood to have sought a lengthy extension to respond but has instead been given a shorter period.

This will delay the publication of the report’s findings.

Mr Matheson quit as health secretary after the Mail revealed a Holyrood probe had unearthed damning evidence.

A parliament spokesman said: ‘We’ll not comment while the parliamentary investigation is ongoing.’

A spokesman for Mr Matheson said: ‘Questions on process are a matter for parliament.’

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: ‘It’s difficult to understand what would be in the report that he needs so much more time to consider.’

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