Michael Matheson returns to parliament after iPad scandal ban

Mr Matheson initially said the iPad had been used for constituency work when the bill was reported in the press.

He eventually admitted the data bill had been run up by his children using his work device to watch football on holiday.

In February Mr Matheson quit as health secretary after more than nine years in cabinet.

It came ahead of the publication of a report by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, which found he had breached the MSPs code of conduct.

The government did not back the sanctions against Mr Matheson and called for a review of the complaints process, arguing it was open to bias and prejudice.

Last week, First Minister John Swinney announced planned changes to parliamentary codes of conduct in his Programme for Government.

He said the ministerial code, which is to be published by the end of the year, will allow independent advisers to initiate investigations into the conduct of ministers, as opposed to requiring the first minister to call for a probe.

“I want my government to set the highest standard of propriety and integrity,” the SNP leader said.