As of: February 8, 2024, 6:44 p.m
By: Victoria Krumbeck
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Scotland's health minister resigns because his sons used his work device.
He doesn't want to endanger the work of the government.
Edinburgh – Scottish Health Minister Michael Matheson announced his resignation on Thursday (February 8).
The reason is a roaming bill for his service tablet amounting to almost 11,000 pounds (around 12,900 euros).
The bill was allegedly caused by Matheson's sons, who used the device as a hotspot to watch football.
The minister explained his decision in a letter to Prime Minister Humza Yousaf.
Scottish Health Secretary: Resigns after roaming bill
After the bill became known, Parliament announced an investigation.
The now ex-Health Minister published his resignation to the Prime Minister on X (formerly Twitter).
In it, Matheson wrote that he had not yet received the parliamentary report but that he thought it would be best to resign.
“However, it is in my best interests and the best interests of the government that I resign now to ensure that this does not become a distraction in moving forward the government agenda,” the Scottish National MP’s letter said.
Scottish health minister resigns: sons watch football for almost £11,000
The bill apparently arose during a family vacation in Morocco in 2022. As
BBC
reported, the bill was initially paid using public funds.
After details became known, Matheson told Parliament that the device had only been used for parliamentary work.
Only later did he admit that his sons had used the iPad as a data hotspot.
He paid the bill in full and apologized for the incident.
Michael Matheson, Minister for Health and Social Care in Scotland, is stepping down from his post.
© Jane Barlow/dpa
Scotland's Prime Minister Humza Yousaf wrote that he accepted his resignation with regret.
But it is best for Matheson to step down now.
He did his country a great service with his work in government.
“I wish you and your family the very best,” Yousaf wrote, according to the government.
Matheson served in various government positions for almost 13 years.
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