Swinney defends Gray’s car use after minister was ‘driven to pub’

John Swinney has defended his Health Secretary Neil Gray following accusations he was chauffeured to a pub before a football match.

The First Minister said the car was used “in accordance with the rules that have been set out within the guidance”.

In November last year, Gray apologised after it emerged he had attended four Aberdeen football matches, being driven to the games in a government car.

He 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 would continue to do so.

John Swinney spoke at the British-Irish Council summit (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Media

On Friday, the Scottish Daily Mail reported that before an Aberdeen v Livingston game last year, Gray was driven to the Brig O’Don pub before the match.

Opponents have heaped pressure on the Health Secretary over the car journeys, but in January a Tory motion calling on him to quit failed.

Swinney was asked about Gray’s car use as he attended the British-Irish Council summit in Northern Ireland.

He told the PA news agency: “The ministerial car was used in accordance with the rules that have been set out within the guidance on this occasion.

“And those rules that are clearly and publicly advertised have been followed on this occasion.”

Pressed again on the issue, he said the regulations have been “followed appropriately on this occasion”.

A Scottish Government spokesman told the Scottish Daily Mail that the Brig O’Don trip was not initially revealed due to an “administrative error”, adding: “Mr Gray travelled from government business to a restaurant for a personal engagement before returning to government business.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said a further explanation was needed.

She said: “The decision to take a taxpayer-funded car to the pub is questionable enough – but the fact it was hidden from the public reeks of a cover-up.

“Neil Gray must come clean about exactly what happened here and explain why exactly this trip to the pub was legitimate government business.”