Cole-Hamilton responds to Matheson sanction

Responding to the news that the Scottish Parliament’s Standards Committee has recommended that former Health Secretary Michael Matheson be suspended from Parliament for 27 sitting days, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Michael Matheson has lost the confidence of Parliament and the public. It is now difficult to see how he can continue to represent his constituents.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for there to be a right for people to recall their MSPs in cases of proven misconduct.

“There must be consequences for politicians and the decision about whether someone is fit to remain in post should ultimately rest with the people who put them there. Even the UK Parliament has had legislation applying to the recall of MPs since 2015.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want to put power back in the hands of the voters, end the culture of secrecy and spin and fix our broken politics.”