MICHAEL MATHESON has refused to stand down as an MSP after First Minister John Swinney claimed the process which recommended he is barred from Holyrood for 27 days was “prejudiced.”

Pressure had been growing in the hours since Holyrood’s standards, procedures and public appointments committee published its verdict against the former health secretary today.

The committee also recommended that Mr Matheson is stripped of his salary for 54 days, with both sanctions to be voted on by MSPs.

Speaking to journalists after First Minister’s Questions, Mr Matheson — investigated by the committee after attempting to cover a near-£11,000 data roaming bill, incurred during a Moroccan holiday, on expenses and office costs — hit out at the process.

He said: “I think it’s pretty clear that the process has become highly politicised, which has compromised the process and the fairness of the process.

“I also think the sanctions they’ve imposed are excessive and they are unfair.”

Mr Matheson said he hopes he will continue to represent Falkirk West “for many years to come.”

Minutes earlier, Mr Swinney also attacked the committee’s probe, claiming Conservative member Annie Wells had “prejudiced” it due to comments she made in November of last year.

She had said that Mr Matheson's “desperate efforts to justify his outrageous expenses claim have been riddled with lies, cover-ups and the need for us all to suspend our disbelief.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “John Swinney has demeaned himself, the Parliament and the office of first minister by attempting to defend the indefensible.

“Michael Matheson should do the right thing, stand down and allow a by-election to take place on the same day as the general election, and John Swinney should have made that clear today.”