Taypayers: Pay-outs for public sector bosses slammed
The use of taxpayers' money to fund leaving packages for public sector bosses has been branded "cavalier" by a Holyrood committee chief.
MSPs are investigating official reports that the public ended up paying for two bosses at Transport Scotland and two presidents of the Mental Health Tribunal Scotland at the same time.
Hugh Henry, convener of the Public Audit Committee, said: "This is a staggering situation where public resources seem to be used in a very cavalier manner by civil servants.
"I think there is an issue of accountability that needs to be looked at."
Former chief executive of Transport Scotland Dr Malcolm Reed was paid six-months' salary when he left last February, despite having a three-month notice period, according to a report by Auditor General Robert Black.
The cost was £61,000, along with annual leave that was not taken.
His replacement, who started work when Dr Reed left, was appointed on a lower salary after the position was advertised internally.
The agency's director of finance, Guy Houston, was not compelled to disclose information on his package, prompting calls from MSPs to review data protection legislation.
The committee heard that Eileen Davie, former president of the Mental Health Tribunal, received about £150,000 pay and £78,000 towards a pension pot despite being off work for almost one year.
Ms Davies formally resigned in October 2008 but had been absent since November 2007, while another person took on her duties. The committee heard Ms Davies was on a pay scale similar to a sheriff principle.
Liberal Democrat committee member Nicol Stephen said the situation has implications for the Data Protection Act.
He said: "It is quite clear if there are issues of criminality then the Data Protection Act is swept away and police have full access to all the information required.
"But if we're talking about the inappropriate use of public funds, even scandalously inappropriate use of public funds, as long is it's done within the rules there's no appropriate scrutiny."
