The Scottish Tories are demanding a Holyrood assertion from Well being Secretary Neil Grey over his use of ministerial vehicles to attend soccer matches that includes his favorite workforce.
Aberdeen fan Mr Grey has been criticised by opposition politicians after it was revealed he was chauffeur-driven to a few cup video games at Scotland’s nationwide stadium, Hampden Park, in addition to a separate league match at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium.
Nonetheless, an SNP colleague has stated the occasions have been “in line with his government duties”.
Whereas a visitor of the Scottish Soccer Affiliation (SFA), Mr Grey was given VIP seats thrice at Hampden Park in Glasgow, as soon as in his present position and two whereas wellbeing financial system, truthful work and vitality secretary.
The MSP for Airdrie and Shotts watched Aberdeen and Hibernian within the Scottish League Cup semi-final on 4 November 2023 and The Dons’ remaining towards Rangers on 17 December.
He additionally attended Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup semi-final towards Celtic on 20 April.
Mr Grey, who’s initially from Orkney, was additionally pushed to an Aberdeen dwelling league match towards Livingston on 15 Could throughout a day of ministerial visits within the metropolis.
The primary two matches have been logged on the Scottish authorities’s ministerial engagements, journey and presents register beneath “SFA social impact investment in sport engagement”.
The opposite two have been registered beneath the topic “sport”.
The taxpayer-funded chauffeur service is obtainable to ministers as a part of their job.
Nonetheless, a Scottish authorities coverage states it “cannot be provided from public funds for journeys where the principal purpose is not connected to the performance of ministerial duties”.
The Scottish Conservatives are demanding a Holyrood assertion from Mr Grey regardless of every of the automotive journeys having been correctly declared, with official conferences stated to have taken place.
Rachael Hamilton, the get together’s deputy chief, likened the considerations to the “Michael Matheson affair”.
She stated: “What is it with SNP health secretaries and claiming taxpayer funds to watch the football?”
Mr Grey was appointed cupboard secretary for well being and social care earlier this 12 months after Mr Matheson stepped down amid a row over an £11,000 iPad knowledge roaming invoice.
The Falkirk West MSP had initially billed taxpayers earlier than U-turning, claiming the gadget had solely been used for parliamentary work throughout a household vacation to Morocco.
It later emerged his teenage sons had been utilizing the work iPad as a hotspot to stream soccer whereas on vacation.
When questioned by journalists days after he knew the reality, Mr Matheson continued to disclaim the iPad was used for private use, till he made an announcement to Holyrood.
He was later suspended from the Scottish parliament for breaching the MSP code of conduct.
Ms Hamilton highlighted how “the SNP hammered Labour politicians” for accepting donations, together with free tickets for occasions and high-end clothes.
The MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire added: “Neil Gray must explain the full facts of what he’s done to the Scottish parliament and let the public judge for themselves.
“Individuals deserve transparency or they are going to lose much more belief in SNP politicians.
“The health secretary should be using taxpayers’ money to reduce NHS waiting lists, not cut the cost of following his football team.”
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Mr Grey beforehand made headlines after admitting he was “in the queue” for Oasis tickets whereas chairing a panel on Alzheimer’s illness – regardless of earlier branding a report “total nonsense”.
Defending Mr Grey earlier on Monday, colleague Gillian Martin advised the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme the occasions have been “in line with his government duties and in line with his responsibilities for sport”.
The appearing web zero and vitality secretary added: “The fact of the matter is you wouldn’t get a ministerial car unless there was a ministerial visit attached to that.
“And that is simply the very fact. You wouldn’t have the ability to organize a ministerial automotive until it was ministerial enterprise.”
Mairi Gougeon, cupboard secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands, was pushed to Murrayfield on 10 February to be a visitor at a Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France. She registered it beneath “marine, aquaculture and rural affairs”.
Tom Arthur, minister for employment and funding, was taken to Hampden Park on 25 Could for the Scottish Cup remaining between Celtic and Rangers. He registered it as a ministerial go to regarding “sport/investment”.
Siobhian Brown, minister for victims and group security, attended a world pleasant between Scotland and Finland at Hampden Park on 7 June and recorded it as “safer communities”.
The Scottish authorities has been contacted for remark.
