Health Secretary Neil Gray Apologizes for Chauffeur-Driven Football Trips

Health Secretary Neil Gray has expressed regret for not attending a “wider range” of football matches, following his use of government vehicles for four Aberdeen games. A chauffeur transported the supporter of Aberdeen, known as “the Dons,” to three matches held at Hampden and one home game. These occasions were officially recorded as government visits. Addressing parliament, Mr. Gray stated that he ought to have attended a broader selection of games to prevent creating the perception that he was behaving “more as a fan and less as a minister.” The Scottish Conservatives criticized him, alleging he had a “jolly to watch the football” funded by taxpayers. Furthermore, Gray disclosed his use of the chauffeur service for five matches involving the Scotland national team. The Health Secretary informed Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) that a family member or guest accompanied him to six of these matches. He clarified that their travel incurred no extra expense for the taxpayer. Gray asserted that all these engagements constituted “official ministerial business” and that he had not intended to exclusively attend Aberdeen club matches. He stated: “I should have made sure that I attended a wider range of games and not just Aberdeen, and I apologise for my error.” The Scottish National Party (SNP) MSP further commented: “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.” Mr. Gray received VIP tickets for Aberdeen matches at Hampden on three occasions: once while serving in his current capacity and twice during his tenure as wellbeing economy, fair work and energy secretary. The MSP for Airdrie and Shotts observed the Aberdeen versus Hibernian Scottish League Cup semi-final in November, the final against Rangers in December, and the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic in April. Additionally, the minister was transported to an Aberdeen home league match against Livingston in May, coinciding with a day of official ministerial engagements within the city. He stated that he attended as a guest of the SPFL for the initial two matches and as a guest of the SFA for the game against Celtic. Gray informed MSPs that he engaged in discussions on various topics during the Hampden matches, such as pyrotechnics, business involvement in sport, and the SPFL’s initiatives to promote community wellbeing. In March 2022, when he held the position of minister for culture, Europe and international development, Gray utilized the chauffeur service to attend Scotland’s matches against Ukraine and Poland. Following his appointment as economy secretary, he was chauffeured to two European Championship qualifying games, against Georgia and Norway, in June and November 2023. Last month, he was present at Scotland’s match against Portugal at Hampden. The Scottish Conservatives have requested a parliamentary investigation into the matter, citing the ministerial code. Rachael Hamilton, the deputy leader, leveled an accusation against Gray, stating: “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 countered that the ministerial code explicitly permits family members or guests to accompany a minister. Neil Bibby, a Labour MSP, remarked that the minister’s presence at the Aberdeen versus Livingston game at Pittodrie had “raised particular eyebrows” and requested that additional details of the discussions be made public. Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, contended that the “real issue” lay with the minister’s utilization of a government vehicle, suggesting there would have been no concern if he had opted for public transport. Following Gray’s statement, First Minister John Swinney informed journalists that he would not refer the Health Secretary for an inquiry under the ministerial code. He added that the statement had addressed “all the issues that need to be considered” and that he now regards the matter as “closed.”