Furious police blast ‘waste of time’ after cops dragged into Holyrood to search for Michael Matheson’s missing MUG

A COPS union chief last night hit out over officers being called in to hunt for disgraced Nat Michael Matheson’s mug.

David Kennedy, of the Scottish Police Federation, insisted the case was a waste of police time.

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Cops were called to Holyrood after Michael Matheson’s mug went missingCredit: PA

It came as The Scottish Sun sent our own ‘robber’ to Holyrood to deliver a replacement cup to the ex-Health Secretary.

But he was nowhere to be seen.

The Scottish Sun sent our own ‘robber’ to Holyrood to deliver a new mug to MathesonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd.

We revealed yesterday how “miffed” cops were dragged into Holyrood to investigate the disappearance.

A report was made to security before police were called in.

Mr Kennedy, the federation’s general secretary, said: “It is astonishing that anyone would contemplate deploying  officers to search for a missing mug. 

“When policing is under immense pressure after years of underfunding and rising demand, this sort of request highlights an entitlement and disconnect from reality that’s hard to  comprehend. 

 “Officers should be focused on keeping our communities safe — not chasing down missing crockery.”

The cup vanished from Mr Matheson’s parly office last month.

He quit the SNP Cabinet two years ago after initially claiming expenses for an £11,000 data roaming bill run up on his work iPad on a holiday to Morocco. 

He later blamed his sons for streaming footie.

Tory MSP Stephen Kerr said cops deserved an apology, adding: “They want to be out catching criminals, not responding to Michael Matheson panicking over how he’s going to get his next cup of coffee.”

Scottish Labour No2 Jackie Baillie also slammed the “wasting” of police time.

An SNP spokesman said Mr Matheson didn’t report “any personal items as missing and no report was made on his behalf to Parliament or police”.

Insiders had previously claimed the lone cup vanished from Mr Matheson’s Holyrood office last month.

An initial report was made to security staff before police were asked to get involved.

Officers then carried out inquiries but issued “suitable advice” after establishing “no criminality”.

Nats claimed the alarm had been raised because multiple items had gone missing from offices over several months.

They also insisted the mug was not Mr Matheson’s “property”.

But force sources confirmed that officers were told the missing cup belonged to him.

An insider revealed: “It appears Mr Matheson or his office were so alarmed by the missing mug that they called in parliament security.

“That in itself would appear to be an over-reaction.

“But then someone has taken the decision to involve the police.

“It’s fair to say the officers called in were more than a little miffed.”

David Kennedy of the Scottish Police Federation has hit out