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Scottish Minister's Football Chauffeur Row
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray faces criticism for using ministerial cars to attend football matches, prompting a parliamentary statement and drawing parallels to a previous expenses scandal.
English
United Kingdom
PoliticsHealthSportsUkGovernmentControversyScotlandExpenses
Scottish ParliamentSnpScottish Football Association (Sfa)Aberdeen FcScottish Government
Neil GrayMichael MathesonMairi GougeonSiobhian BrownTom Arthur
- Did other ministers engage in similar conduct?
- Other Scottish ministers have also used ministerial cars to attend sporting events, including trips to watch rugby and other football matches. These were justified as having connections to ministerial duties such as promoting aquaculture or safer communities.
- What is the significance of the Michael Matheson case?
- Gray's use of ministerial cars for football matches follows a previous controversy involving Michael Matheson, who resigned after racking up an \u00a311,000 data bill on his parliamentary iPad, which was used by his sons to watch football matches.
- How did the Scottish government respond to the criticism?
- The Scottish government defended Gray's actions, stating that the car trips were in accordance with their policies and represented value for money. They claimed that sport is part of Gray's health secretary remit and that he often attends events to support workers and players.
- What is the opposition's criticism of Neil Gray's actions?
- Opposition parties criticized Gray's use of ministerial cars for football matches, calling it excessive and hypocritical, especially given the SNP's past criticism of similar actions by Labour politicians.
- Why is Scotland's health secretary, Neil Gray, under scrutiny?
- Neil Gray, Scotland's health secretary, used ministerial cars to attend three Aberdeen football matches at Hampden Park, and one home game, within six months. These trips were classified as official engagements, approved by civil servants.