Overview

• Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West since 1999, announced he will not seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of a 27-year political career.
• Matheson resigned as health secretary in 2024 after admitting his sons used his parliamentary iPad to rack up an £11,000 data roaming bill during a family holiday in Morocco.
• The scandal led to his suspension from Holyrood for 27 days and the longest salary docking in Scottish Parliament history, totaling 54 days' pay.
• Matheson is one of over 20 SNP MSPs stepping down ahead of the next election, including former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf.
• SNP leaders have expressed concern over the loss of experienced politicians, while others highlight the emerging talent among proposed candidates for Holyrood.