Douglas Ross today said voters can “punish” the SNP for the “shameful” handling of the Michael Matheson scandal at the upcoming General Election.
At First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Conservative leader said the former health secretary should be suspended from the SNP and resign as an MSP.
Douglas Ross said the Scottish Conservatives would seek to hold a vote in the Scottish Parliament next week to demand Michael Matheson quit Holyrood.
John Swinney called Michael Matheson a “friend and a colleague”.
He said he will not support the action against the disgraced Falkirk West MSP and that he has written to the standards committee to complain about the disciplinary procedure which led to Michael Matheson being given a 27-day suspension from parliament.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: "Michael Matheson misused taxpayers’ money. He made a false claim for £11,000. He misled the public, press and this parliament.
“Anyone in the real world would lose their job for what Michael Matheson did.
“He should be suspended from the SNP and he must resign. That’s why the Scottish Conservatives will bring forward a motion next week calling on Michael Matheson to quit as an MSP.
“But the SNP claimed there was nothing to see here. They have defended Michael Matheson every step of the way.
“John Swinney is saying it’s acceptable for an MSP to take public money then lie about it. He is so out of touch with the public it’s breathtaking.
“He is shamefully still supporting Michael Matheson and refusing to back sanctions against him. Worse still, he’s acting like there’s a witch hunt against his disgraced friend.
“The public will soon have the chance to have their say on this scandal. They have the opportunity to remove SNP politicians who let them down.
“In seats up and down Scotland, it will be a straight fight between the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives.
“If everyone who wants to remove the SNP from power in Scotland gets behind the Scottish Conservatives in key seats across the country, we can do it.
“Voters have the chance on July 4th to punish the SNP for their shameful handling of the Michael Matheson scandal.”