A veteran SNP MSP who was forced to resign from the Scottish Government following an expenses scandal is hoping to stand again at the next Holyrood election.
Michael Matheson is understood to have submitted his application to party bosses ahead of a deadline this week. A decision on whether he will be approved as a candidate will be made next year.
The MSP for Falkirk West retains significant support among local SNP members despite being handed a record 27-day ban from the Scottish Parliament in May. He was also docked pay for 54 days.
Matheson resigned as Health Secretary over a near £11,000 data roaming bill incurred on a family holiday to Mexico.
The SNP MSP originally pleaded ignorance and tried to get the taxpayer to foot the bill for the entire amount.
But he later admitted his children had used the device to watch football and he was accused of lying to the press.
An internal probe found he had breached the Holyrood code of conduct and the Standards committee recommended the ban and salary penalties.
SNP MSPs abstained in the final vote and opposition parties have repeatedly called on Matheson to quit as an MSP.
Matheson apologised in May and said: “I apologise and regret that this situation occurred.”
The former minister backed the call for the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) to carry out an independent review of the parliament’s complaints process, “to restore integrity and confidence in the Parliament and its procedures”.
He added: “I look forward to continuing to represent the people of Falkirk West, as I have done for many years.”
It comes as Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, announced today he was bidding to become an MSP in 2026.
But the MP for Aberdeen South said he would not resign his Commons seat if he was successful in running for Holyrood.
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