SARWAR SWINNEY PUTTING PARTY BEFORE COUNTRY

Labour leader says NHS waiting lists should be priority.. not défending pal over parly ban

- CHRIS McCALL

Matheson JOHN Swinney has been accused of putting the SNP before Scotland by trying to protect Michael instead of focusing on issues facing the country.

The First Minister has faced a backlash from opposition parties after he described the disciplinary process against the disgraced former health secretary as "prejudiced".

Matheson had initially tried to claim an £11,000 data roaming bill racked up on his official iPad on expenses while on a family holiday.

The member for Falkirk West was suspended from Holyrood this week for a record 27 days after MSPs agreed with sanctions which the SNP leader had initially opposed.

Anas Sarwar pressed Swinney again on the scandal yesterday at First Minister's Questions and accused him of caring more about defending the former SNP minister than cutting NHS waiting times.

The Scottish Labour leader said: "This parliament agreed to suspend former health secretary Michael Matheson for attempting to misuse £11,000 of public money.

"Rather than defending Scots and protecting the integrity of parliament, John Swinney chose to put his party before the country.

"Had this been at Westminster, Michael Matheson would now be facing a recall petition and potentially a by-election.

"But yet again the SNP hold.

Scotland to a lower standard and believe it's one rule for them and one rule for everyone else.