SNP ‘limo-gate' minister Neil Gray chauffeured to pub as part of jolly before Aberdeen game in fresh scandal
The health secretary was forced to apologise in December for acting 'more as a fan and less as a minister'
TRIP TO BOOZER SNP 'limo-gate' minister Neil Gray chauffeured to pub as part of jolly before Aberdeen game in fresh scandal
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SCANDAL-HIT football freebie minister Neil Gray was chauffeured to a pub as part of his jolly to watch Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Last night the Scottish Government admitted the Dons fan's trip to the Brig O'Don pub was for a 'personal engagement' - breaching the new ministerial code published after his limo trip scandal.
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Neil Gray was chauffeured to a pub as part of his jolly before an Aberdeen match
Credit: Alamy
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He attended Aberdeen v Livingston a guest of the Aberdeen Community Trust in May last year
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Officials also claimed the reason the extra journey wasn't published was due to an 'administrative error'.
But the chauffeured trip to the boozer on May 15 last year was on the same day he carried out ministerial visits in Aberdeen and then attended Aberdeen v Livingston as a guest of the Aberdeen Community Trust.
John Swinney updated the ministerial code to crackdown on car use after the scandal surrounding Mr Gray.
And the pub trip would be a breach of conduct rules if it happened again.
The rules state that ministers are only allowed to use official cars for 'official business and for home to office journeys'.
The code states: 'Ministers are permitted to use an official car for official business and for home to office journeys.
'Ministers are encouraged to use travel time in their Ministerial car to work where this is possible. Where practicable, Ministers are encouraged to use public transport.'
Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'He needs to explain why he and his team originally claimed that his ministerial limo took him to a home address rather than to a restaurant for socialising.
'Given the scandal the misuse of his government car caused, the health secretary ought to have double checked every journey to make sure that his account was factually correct, so this inaccuracy is hard to fathom.'
In December, the health secretary was forced to apologise for acting 'more as a fan and less as a minister' after attending four Aberdeen games, three at Hampden and one at Pittodrie and claiming they were for government business.
Ex-Tory chief blasted as he chairs Holyrood meeting from Caribbean
He did not get freebies to other club ties in official capacity, and he admitted he should have "attended a wider range of games".
But Mr Gray insisted it was legitimate for ministers to attend sporting events and he will continue to do so.
The Airdrie and Shotts MSP watched Aberdeen v Hibernian in Scottish League Cup semi-final as a guest of the SPFL in November 2023.
He also watched the Dons in the final against Rangers in December last year as a guest of the SPFL, and the semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Celtic in April this year as a guest of the SFA.
The freebies Aberdeen games Neil Gray was chauffeured to by the taxpayer:
November 4, 2023 - Neil Gray - then Wellbeing Economy Secretary - attends Aberdeen v Hibernian Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden Park
December 17, 2023 - Mr Gray attends Aberdeen v Rangers Viaplay Cup Final at Hampden Park
April 20, 2024 - Mr Gray - now Health Secretary - attends Aberdeen v Celtic Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park
May 15, 2024 - Mr Gray attends Aberdeen v Livingston league match at Pittodrie
A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'This is an administration error. Mr Gray travelled from government business to a restaurant for a personal engagement before returning to government business.'
They added it was 'in line with the rules around Government Car Service GCS use.'
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