There are calls for an independent investigation after Health Secretary Neil Gray apologised for attending four Aberdeen football matches, being driven to the games in a government car.
Mr Gray, who is an Aberdeen fan, admitted he had given the impression of “acting more as a fan and less as a minister” and should have “attended a wider range of games”.
However, he said it is legitimate for ministers to attend sporting events and he will continue to do so.
John Swinney has said he considers the matter “closed”.
Mr Gray also revealed a family member or guest accompanied him at five of the matches he attended as minister. He attended six in total, including two games involving the Scottish national team.
He gave a statement to MSPs in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament after coming under attack from opposition MSPs.
However, the Conservatives said he was merely making “pathetic” excuses and the fact he was accompanied to the games showed he was on a “jolly to watch the football”.
Mr Gray told the chamber: “It is a matter of regret to me that, by attending four Aberdeen games, I have given the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister.”
The SNP minister listed four Aberdeen FC matches he had attended between November 2023 and May 2024, along with the ministerial discussions he took part in at each event.
He added: “When it comes to domestic football, I should have ensured I went to see teams other than Aberdeen.”
The Health Secretary said: “It was not planned that way, but I should not have allowed that situation to develop.
“I should have made sure that I attended a wider range of games and not just Aberdeen, and I apologise for my error.”
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said he had done more than give an “impression” of acting as a fan, noting he was not a sport minister at the time of some of the games.
She said: “This is pathetic, these excuses are an embarrassment…
“This scandal demands a ministerial code investigation because it looks like Neil Gray has used taxpayers’ money for his own benefit.”
She asked if Mr Gray would refer himself to the independent adviser on the ministerial code and called for him to reimburse the taxpayer.
The fact he was accompanied to the games shows he was on “a jolly to watch the football”, she said.
The Health Secretary said it is permitted for family members to accompany ministers to events.
Labour’s Neil Bibby said the minister’s attendance at the Aberdeen v Livingston game at Pittodrie has “raised particular eyebrows” and asked for further details of the discussions to be published.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said the “real issue” was the minister’s use of a government car and there would not have been a problem had he used public transport.
Speaking to journalists following Mr Gray’s statement, First Minister John Swinney said he would not refer Mr Gray for an investigation under the ministerial code.
He said the statement had addressed “all the issues that need to be considered” and he now considers the matter “closed”.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
