15 November 2024
Off the ball – Neil Gray, Rachael Hamilton and First Minister Swinney.
By Democrat reporter
The Scottish Conservatives have written to First Minister John Swinney urging him to take action over the Neil Gray limo scandal.
Deputy leader Rachael Hamilton rubbished the First Minister’s claim that the matter was now closed, saying that “Neil Gray’s statement has left this scandal wide open”.
The party says the SNP leader must launch a ministerial code investigation because it is “crystal clear” that Neil Gray misused taxpayer-funded limos to watch Aberdeen games.
Deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said Neil Gray should publish all correspondence setting up the trips, all minutes and details of the government business that supposedly took place, a list of who attended the games and in what capacity, and the journey routes of where the ministerial cars went.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “John Swinney wants this matter to be closed, but Neil Gray’s statement has left this scandal wide open.
“The health secretary’s story has unravelled and he has completely undermined any claims that going to Aberdeen games involved government business.
“These meetings blatantly didn’t involve government matters if Neil Gray was joined by family members, friends or SNP activists. If officials were there, we need to know who and what notes they made.
“Neil Gray must publish all correspondence around these trips, so the public can see if he was invited to Aberdeen games or asked to go himself, and he must also produce the minutes of all meetings and details of all conversations that supposedly involved government business, if they exist.
“Neil Gray doesn’t seem to get that the public are furious that he misused taxpayer-funded limos to watch the football.
“If John Swinney won’t launch an investigation into this scandal, it’s clear he doesn’t get it either. He must act today.
“Our NHS and social care system needs serious leadership, not another SNP minister out to swindle taxpayers.”