Former Scottish Health secretary Michael Matheson has become the latest MSP to announce he is to step down at the next election.

Mr Matheson, who was forced to resign over an expenses scandal, said he would be seeking “new challenges outwith politics.”

He was among the first intake of MSPs in 1999 and served in Government for 13 years across justice, health, transport, and climate change.

In a post on social media, he said: “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 27 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.”

“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.”

Matheson 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. He was accused of lying about the bill after saying the iPad was only used for constituency work.

Later he admitted his children had used it to stream football, and said he did not know this at the time.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “Michael Matheson has clearly recognised that continuing to be an MSP was untenable after resigning in disgrace as health secretary last year.

“He becomes part of an ever-growing list of SNP MSPs to desert the party ahead of next year’s election.

“Matheson’s tenure as health secretary will be remembered for scandal, dishonesty and failure.

“His decision to stand down highlights John Swinney’s appalling lack of judgement in defending him to the hilt despite Matheson fleecing the taxpayer out of £11,000 for roaming charges.”

Mr Matheson adds to a list of departing MSPs that includes Finance Secretary Shona Robison, Transport Secretarty Fiona Hyslop, Business Minister Richard Lochhead and former First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf. Others high profile figures who are not seeking election include Michelle Thomson (SNP), Liz Smith (Conservative) and Richard Leonard (Labour).

Employment minister Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, has announced that he will be seeking the nomination for the the proposed Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley Constituency. Housing Minister Paul McLennan is also seeking re-election.

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