Health Secretary’s Chauffeur Use for Football Matches Defended as “Doing Job”

Health Secretary Neil Gray was “doing his job” when he utilized a ministerial vehicle to attend three Aberdeen football matches at Hampden, according to a cabinet colleague. Gray, an Aberdeen supporter, drew criticism from opposition figures after The Sunday Post disclosed that he was driven by a chauffeur to three cup games at the national stadium, in addition to a league match at Pittodrie. Gillian Martin, the acting net zero and energy secretary, affirmed that these occasions were “in line with his government duties”. A government spokesperson commented that the publicly-funded car journeys were “in accordance with travel and subsistence policies to ensure we deliver the best value for money possible for the Scottish public”. Gray received complimentary VIP seating at Hampden on three occasions as a guest of the Scottish Football Association (SFA): once in his current capacity and twice when he served as wellbeing economy, fair work and energy secretary. The Airdrie and Shotts MSP observed Aberdeen v Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup semi-final in November, the final against Rangers in December, and the semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Celtic in April. The minister, who originates from Orkney, was also transported to an Aberdeen home league match against Livingston in May during a day of official visits within the city. The initial two matches were recorded in the Scottish government’s ministerial engagements, travel and gifts register as meetings with the SFA concerning the “social impact” of investment in sport. The subsequent two were listed under the subject “sport”. Gray assumed the role of health secretary from Michael Matheson in February 2023. Matheson resigned after an £11k data roaming bill was incurred on his parliamentary iPad, which he stated had been used by his sons to watch football matches during a family holiday. A government spokesperson stated that sport is part of Gray’s official responsibilities as health secretary, adding that he frequently attended sporting events “to support workers and players”. Martin conveyed to BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland: “It’s my understanding that Neil Gray was doing his job as cabinet secretary for health and sport and it seems to be he’s done visits in line with his government duties in line with his responsibilities for sport. “So you would use a ministerial car to get to somewhere where you were doing a ministerial event and that’s pretty standard.” She further explained: “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 a fact. You would not be able to arrange a ministerial car unless it was ministerial business.” Ministers are entitled to publicly funded car transport as part of their employment. The policy specifies that it “cannot be provided from public funds for journeys where the principal purpose is not connected to the performance of ministerial duties”. Other government officials have similarly utilized the chauffeur service for sporting events in recent months. Siobhian Brown, the community safety minister, attended Scotland’s friendly against Finland at Hampden, characterizing the visit as related to “safer communities”. Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur used the car service for a journey to Hampden to watch the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers. He categorized it as a ministerial visit for “sport/investment”. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton called for the health secretary to deliver a statement to Holyrood, alleging he was offering “shoddy excuses”. She stated: “Neil Gray must explain the full facts of what he’s done to the Scottish Parliament and let the public judge for themselves.” Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie remarked: “These taxpayer-funded trips are bound to raise some eyebrows and Neil Gray must explain clearly how all of these journeys can be considered Scottish government business.” In reply to the Conservatives, an SNP spokesperson said: “This faux outrage from the Tories would have more credibility were it not for the fact that they themselves have repeatedly attended sporting events in their MSP capacity.”No doubt they did so because they agree with us that it is very important for elected representatives to support Scotland’s thriving sporting events.”