Swinney defends £45,000 business class flights to World Cup

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has defended the cost of his recent trip to the US.

Swinney jetted across the Atlantic to watch the Scotland men’s national team take part in their first World Cup in 28 years in June.

According to data published by the Scottish Government under freedom-of-information legislation, almost £100,000 was spent on Swinney and Scottish Government officials to visit Boston and a subsequent trip to Kentucky, along with another visit to Miami by sports minister Maree Todd for the team’s final group stage tie against Brazil.

Flights for the First Minister, his private secretary John Webster and chief of staff Colin McAllister – all business class – cost more than £45,000.

Hotels for the trio cost £3,212, according to the data.

Both Todd and her private secretary flew in economy class, with the flights costing £1,471.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, the First Minister said: “Obviously, when flights have got to be booked, when there’s intense pressure on the time involved, then the costs are likely to be higher.”

He added: “We tried to minimise those costs.”

The Scottish Government’s justice secretary, Neil Gray, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland earlier on Thursday, said: “These are busy trips for ministers, and it is right that they are able to arrive fresh, they’re able to arrive in a way that means that they’re able to participate and do their work immediately, so I think that’s a proportionate use.”

He added that it was “right” that the First Minister and officials made the trip to “make significant international connections”.