The Scottish Tories are demanding a Holyrood statement from Health Secretary Neil Gray over his use of ministerial cars to attend football matches featuring his favourite team.
Aberdeen fan Mr Gray has been criticised by opposition politicians after it was revealed he was chauffeur-driven to three cup games at Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park, as well as a separate league match at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium.
However, an SNP colleague has said the events were “in line with his government duties”, with the Scottish government adding the cabinet secretary “attends a number of sporting events such as golf, football and athletics to support workers and players” as part of his role.
While a guest of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), Mr Gray was given VIP seats three times at Hampden Park in Glasgow, once in his current role and two while wellbeing economy, fair work and energy secretary.
The MSP for Airdrie and Shotts watched Aberdeen and Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup semi-final on 4 November 2023 and The Dons’ final against Rangers on 17 December.
He also attended Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic on 20 April.
Mr Gray, who is originally from Orkney, was also driven to an Aberdeen home league match against Livingston on 15 May during a day of ministerial visits in the city.
The first two matches were logged on the Scottish government’s ministerial engagements, travel and gifts register under “SFA social impact investment in sport engagement”.
The other two were registered under the subject “sport”.
The taxpayer-funded chauffeur service is available to ministers as part of their job.
However, a Scottish government policy 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 statement from Mr Gray despite each of the car trips having been properly declared, with official meetings said to have taken place.
Rachael Hamilton, the party’s deputy leader, likened the concerns to the “Michael Matheson affair”.
She said: “What is it with SNP health secretaries and claiming taxpayer funds to watch the football?”
Mr Gray was appointed cabinet secretary for health and social care earlier this year after Mr Matheson stepped down amid a row over an £11,000 iPad data roaming bill.
The Falkirk West MSP had initially billed taxpayers before U-turning, claiming the device had only been used for parliamentary work during a family holiday to Morocco.
It later emerged his teenage sons had been using the work iPad as a hotspot to stream football while on holiday.
When questioned by journalists days after he knew the truth, Mr Matheson continued to deny the iPad was used for personal use, until he made a statement 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, including free tickets for events and high-end clothing.
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.
“People deserve transparency or they will lose even more trust 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 Gray previously made headlines after admitting he was “in the queue” for Oasis tickets while chairing a panel on Alzheimer’s disease – despite earlier branding a report “total nonsense”.
Defending Mr Gray earlier on Monday, colleague Gillian Martin told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme the events were “in line with his government duties and in line with his responsibilities for sport”.
The acting net zero and energy 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’s just the fact. You would not be able to arrange a ministerial car unless it was ministerial business.”
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The figures were first revealed by The Sunday Post. The newspaper reported a number of ministers using the chauffeur service for sporting events.
Mairi Gougeon, cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands, was driven to Murrayfield on 10 February to be a guest at a Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France. She registered it under “marine, aquaculture and rural affairs”.
Tom Arthur, minister for employment and investment, was taken to Hampden Park on 25 May for the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers. He registered it as a ministerial visit concerning “sport/investment”.
Siobhian Brown, minister for victims and community safety, attended an international friendly between Scotland and Finland at Hampden Park on 7 June and recorded it as “safer communities”.
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The Scottish government places great importance on the success of Scottish sporting events.
“Not only do they bring significant economic benefits, but they are also a key driver of improving the health and wellbeing of our citizens.
“As the cabinet secretary for health and sport, Mr Gray attends a number of sporting events such as golf, football and athletics to support workers and players.
“In the past he has used such visits to announce and promote a number of initiatives, such as the Changing Room Extra Time mental health programme.
“Ministers attending events in a ministerial capacity are entitled to use government transport. All travel costs are in accordance with travel and subsistence policies to ensure we deliver the best value for money possible for the Scottish public.”
