Ex-health secretary Michael Matheson announces he is quitting politics

Ex-health secretary Michael Matheson has announced he is to step down at the next election.

In a post on social media, he announced he wanted to seek “new challenges outwith politics.”

He wrote: “I have tonight advised my Constituency Association that I have decided not to seek re-election to the Scottish Parliament next year.

“As one of the original Members of the Scottish Parliament elected in 1999, by the time of the election in 2026 I will have served as an MSP for twenty-seven years. When I joined the SNP at 17 years of age the re-establishment of a Scottish Parliament was still a distant prospect. I could never have imagined that I would have had the privilege to represent Falkirk in our national Parliament for over two decades.

“I want to offer my sincere thanks to my constituents for the support and encouragement they have given me over the last twenty-six years, it has been the privilege of my life to represent the people of Falkirk.

“During my time in Parliament, I was also honoured to serve in Government for 13 years across five different ministerial portfolios. I will always be deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in Government and to implement policy in justice, health, transport, and climate change that has made Scotland a better place for all.

“I want to thank my constituency office staff – some of whom have been with me throughout my time in Parliament for their support over the years. I also could not ask for a better Constituency Association who have been with me every step of the way during our election campaigns.

“While there are many challenges within the Falkirk West constituency, I am extremely proud of the improvements that have been achieved since the SNP’s election in 2007, with investment in our hospital, more affordable social housing, and improvements to our school estate to name a few.

“I will of course continue to serve my constituents to the best of my ability for the remainder of my term, and I look forward to seeking new challenges out with frontline politics.

“In passing on the Falkirk West SNP torch, I look forward to supporting our candidate for next year’s election to ensure Falkirk West returns an SNP MSP.

“Yours for Scotland.”

Matheson had resigned as Scotland’s health secretary after he racked up an £11,000 data bill on his official iPad in February last year.

The former health secretary was barred from Holyrood for 27 sitting days and the bill was initially paid by the taxpayer but Matheson later agreed to pay it after the story broke.

The Falkirk West MSP was accused of lying about the bill after saying the iPad was only used for constituency work.

But he later admitted his children had used it to stream football, although he did not know at the time.