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Neil Gray ‘sorry’ after chauffeur trips to football

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Health Secretary Neil Gray apologizes for using ministerial cars to attend Aberdeen football games. He admits that he should have attended a wider range of games to avoid the perception of prioritizing his fan interests over his ministerial responsibilities. Gray used the chauffeur service for both Aberdeen and Scotland games, with family members or guests accompanying him at some matches. The Scottish Conservatives have called for a parliamentary investigation, accusing Gray of using taxpayers’ money for personal enjoyment. Gray acknowledges his error and apologizes for the impression created by his actions.

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Kaynak: www.bbc.com

Health Secretary Neil Gray apologises for Aberdeen football games ‘error’

Health Secretary Neil Gray has said he is sorry he did not go to a “wider range” of football matches after using ministerial cars to attend four Aberdeen games.

The Dons fan was driven by a chauffeur to watch three games at Hampden, as well as a home match. He registered the events as official government visits.

In a statement to parliament, Gray said he should have attended a greater variety of games to avoid giving the impression he was acting “more as a fan and less as a minister”.

The Scottish Conservatives accused him of having a “jolly to watch the football” at taxpayers’ expense.

Gray also said he had used the chauffeur service for five Scotland games.

The health secretary told MSPs that he had been joined by a family member or guest at six of the matches. He said that they travelled with him but at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

Gray said all the engagements were “official ministerial business”, and that he had not planned to attend only Aberdeen club matches.

He said: “I should have made sure that I attended a wider range of games and not just Aberdeen, and I apologise for my error.”

The SNP MSP added: “I am a football fan. I follow Aberdeen. But I should not have allowed the impression to be given that this played any role in my engagements and I am sorry for my error.”

grey placeholderPA Media Ronaldo at Hampden Park between two Scotland playersPA Media

The health secretary was driven in a ministerial car to Scotland v Portugal at Hampden in October

Gray was given VIP tickets to Aberdeen matches at Hampden three times, once in his current role and twice when he was wellbeing economy, fair work and energy secretary.

The Airdrie and Shotts MSP watched Aberdeen v Hibernian in Scottish League Cup semi-final in November, and the final against Rangers in December, as well as the semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Celtic in April.

The minister was also driven to an Aberdeen home league match against Livingston in May during a day of ministerial visits in the city.

He said he was a guest of the SPFL at the first two matches, and of the SFA at the Celtic match.

In March 2022, while serving as minister for culture, Europe and international development, Gray used the chauffeur service to go to Scotland matches against Ukraine and Poland.

After becoming economy secretary, he was driven to two European Championship qualifiers against Georgia and Norway in June and November 2023.

Last month, he attended Scotland’s game against Portugal at Hampden.

Scottish Conservatives called for a parliamentary investigation under the ministerial code.

Deputy leader Rachael Hamilton accused Gray said: “Taking family members and guests to these games, in limos paid for by the taxpayer, confirms beyond all doubt that these meetings were not government business, but a jolly to watch the football.

“Taxpayers have been duped and Neil Gray must now refund them in full.”

Gray said the ministerial code makes clear that family members or guests can accompany a minister.

Neil Gray ‘sorry’ after chauffeur trips to football
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