There are calls for Audit Scotland to launch an inquiry into the taxpayer-funded payout of more than £134,000 to Police Scotland’s Chief Constable to help her buy a second home.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr told the Scottish Mail on Sunday: “If SNP ministers and the Scottish Police Authority cannot point to why this spending was authorised, then Audit Scotland must investigate.”
Mr Kerr added: “This decision smacks of the Scottish Police Authority trying to close ranks. Taxpayers have been billed a six-figure sum for the Chief Constable’s second home, yet it’s unclear what grounds this decision was taken on. This decision should have been subjected to robust scrutiny.”
Scots Tory MSP Liam Kerr, left, wants an investigation
There are also said to be anomalies in the Chief Officer’s Relocation Procedure document, which has been highlighted by the SPA to defend Ms Farrell’s expenses. A document obtained by the MoS includes an official writing: “second home purchase not explicitly in regs. Decision makers need to be aware of this.”
One retired chief officer said: “There is a lot of anger about these payments, both within Police Scotland and from ex-officers like myself. The regulations were only intended to reimburse officers who have genuinely relocated to Scotland, and that is entirely appropriate and reasonable.
“But they were never intended to support the purchase of a second home, which for all intents and purposes is a lifestyle choice.”
‘Significant sums of public money’
In Police Scotland’s latest annual accounts, under Benefits in Kind, it was noted: “Jo Farrell received taxable relocation expenses of £69,901 (£134,426 including tax costs paid).” However, the combined ‘benefits in kind’ expenses attributed to the three chief constables who preceded Ms Farrell amounted to just £43,900 over ten years.
Scottish Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill, right, said: “These are significant sums of public money and it is important that there is transparency about these arrangements.”