Humza Yousaf has stood by beleaguered Health Secretary Michael Matheson, insisting that the minister has his full confidence despite the £11,000 data roaming bill scandal.
The First Minister admitted that there was “more that has been discovered in relation to the iPad and the expense" but that he would not pre-empt the personal statement from Mr Matheson in Holyrood later this afternoon.
He said it had been an “honest mistake” and asked MSPs to give the Cabinet Secretary the benefit of the doubt.
READ MORE: Michael Matheson visit to Glasgow pulled amid iPad row
“I do understand in our politics, the very first place we all go to is to think the very worst of each other,” he said.
“I hold my hands up. I've often done that myself and been guilty of it too.
“But honest mistakes do happen.
“Michael has been a member of this Parliament since its inception, all of us who have worked with him, know that he is a man of honesty, and indeed of integrity.
“So instead of rushing to besmirch each other's character perhaps our politics will be a little better if we give each other the benefit of the doubt.”
He added later: “I do have absolute confidence in Michael Matheson as a Cabinet Secretary for Health.”
Mr Yousaf also hit out at the Scottish Conservatives, saying it was quite something” to get a “lecture on principles and integrity from the party that gave us Boris Johnson.”
Douglas Ross told the First Minister that the Health Secretary was not doing his job. He pointed to The Herald’s story about the cancelled visit to a GP’s surgery in Glasgow.
“This really matters when Scotland's NHS is in crisis, and we're approaching winter. It matters if there was an attempt to dupe taxpayers out of £11,000.
“For nearly a year, Michael Matheson was happy for the taxpayer to pick up this bill. He made no attempt to repay it until he was caught. His story is farcical beyond belief.”
The Scottish Tory leader said the First Minister was the “last person in Scotland still believing his Health Secretary's ridiculous claim.”
“Now, if this story changes to be about family, or personal usage, that still wouldn't cut it, because it will be nearly a year after the claim and a week into this scandal.
“The evidence shows that Michael Matheson claimed £11,000 of taxpayers money when he knew it wasn't for parliamentary work. It wasn't just a mistake. It was dishonest.”
READ MORE: Scottish Parliament publishes Matheson's £11k data roaming bill
As he left the chamber, Mr Yousaf was asked if the health minister had attempted to resign.
The First Minister said he would not "get into the detail" of conversations with Mr Matheson.
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