Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie has instructed civil servants not to send him government papers to read after 9 o’clock at night.
The Dumbarton-linked Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights also says he will work at weekends only “if necessary” and instructs staff to only phone him “if urgent”.
The instructions were revealed in a heavily redacted document published by the Scottish Government following a freedom of information battle with a member of the public.
The concerned citizen asked for “documentation regarding the preferences of all current Scottish Government ministers for working on or being contacted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during anti-social hours, including preferences regarding a disinclination to work or be contacted during such days and times.”
After an FOI review, the details were finally published on Tuesday. It said the “earliest and latest time [Mr Harvie] will consider papers” was “0900 – 2100”.
The document also revealed that civil servants could “Phone if urgent” and described his attitude to weekend working as “If necessary”.
Like all other junior ministers, Loadsamoney Harvie is entitled to a salary top-up to take his annual pay to £99,516. While MSPs do not receive overtime payments, their perks include foreign “assignments,” which Harvie has not been shy about taking advantage of and has run up considerable costs for meals and travel.
The FOI documents also featured former Finance Secretary Katie Forbes, pictured left, whose committed Christian beliefs came to the fore during the SNP leadership debate.
As a member of the Free Church of Scotland, she does not give TV interviews on the Sabbath and it appears she has also declined to perform some of her ministerial duties.
Under the heading “These directions are contained in our duty guidance regarding Ms Forbes”, it states “SpAds [special advisers] to clear lines on Sundays”.
The Scottish Government said: “Only two Ministers indicated preferences for working on or being contacted within the time frames outlined in your request.”
It added: “It should be noted that the Minister is always available to undertake urgent business, and regularly works during the hours of your request, such as public holidays, weekends, and in the evening when required.”
Top picture: Patrick Harvie, laughing all the way to the bank on £100,000 a year.