Scotland’s health secretary, Neil Gray, used a ministerial car to attend three major Aberdeen cup ties at Hampden Park. The Scottish Government stated that Gray was a guest of the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and was there for “essential” business discussions. He received VIP seats to watch Aberdeen play against Hibernian, Rangers, and Celtic in League Cup and Scottish Cup fixtures. These revelations have sparked concerns about the use of ministerial cars for personal enjoyment.
Gray defended his attendance at these matches as official business, stating that they were related to his previous roles as Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Secretary. The first trip occurred in November 2023 when Aberdeen beat Hibernian in the League Cup semi-finals. He discussed the “social impact investment in sport” during this visit. Gray, an Aberdeen fan, also attended matches against Rangers and Celtic in December 2023 and April 2024, respectively.
The Scottish Government responded by stating that sport falls under the remit of health secretaries and is important for promoting wellbeing and economic growth. However, critics, including deputy leader of the Scottish Tories Rachael Hamilton, questioned the legitimacy of these trips and raised concerns about politicians being out of touch with the public.
Other government ministers such as Mairi Gougeon, Siobhian Brown, and Tom Arthur also used ministerial cars to attend sporting events, claiming that these trips were related to their official duties. These incidents have drawn comparisons to donation rows in Westminster, particularly involving former Labour leader and current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Starmer faced criticism for accepting over £100,000 in freebies, including tickets to football matches and major concerts. He recently announced that he would pay back around £6,000 for gifts received since entering Downing Street. The gifts included tickets to Taylor Swift’s concert and hospitality at Doncaster Races. Despite these controversies, politicians are allowed to accept gifts as long as they are declared and do not violate any rules.
In conclusion, the use of ministerial cars for personal enjoyment, under the guise of official business, raises questions about transparency and accountability in government. While politicians are expected to engage with stakeholders and promote Scotland’s interests, it is essential that these engagements are conducted with integrity and in the best interests of the public. The public’s trust in politicians can be strengthened by ensuring that all activities are transparent and serve the greater good.
