An online travel agency has made a tongue-in-cheek job offer to Michael Matheson after he quit the Scottish government’s frontbench over a data roaming bill of almost £11,000.
On the Beach has jokingly offered the former health secretary the role of “head of mobile data” as he “just had some hefty bills to pay”.
Mr Matheson hit the headlines last year after billing the taxpayer an eye-watering invoice following a family trip to Morocco around Christmas 2022.
His roaming charges for the parliamentary iPad – not phone calls – totalled nearly £11,000.
The Falkirk West MSP initially claimed the bill was run up due to an outdated SIM card while undertaking constituency work during the trip.
After agreeing to pay the money back out of his own pocket, it was later discovered that the costs were racked up by Mr Matheson’s teenage sons who had used the iPad as a hotspot to watch football while abroad.
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Matheson announced he was stepping down as health secretary ahead of the conclusion of a probe by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB).
In response to his resignation, On the Beach sent Mr Matheson the job offer of “head of mobile data”.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer, wrote: “Dear Michael, we’ve seen that you’re currently without a job and have just had some hefty bills to pay.
“With your experience of roaming charges, we’d love to offer you a role at On the Beach as ‘head of mobile data’.
“We reckon you’d be perfect for us to work with on some great ways to ensure your kids don’t rack up £11k of data charges abroad.
“Let us know if you’re up for it and we’ll stick a formal letter in the post.”
