John Swinney defends Neil Gray using ministerial car to go to film premier

John Swinney has defended Neil Gray’s use of a ministerial car to see a film premier, claiming it was “relevant” to the health portfolio.

The health secretary attended the showing of The Outrun at Edinburgh’s Cameo Cinema in August.

He used a ministerial car to take him from his home in Livingston to the cinema and back again, according to the most recent engagements, travel and gifts publication.

Culture secretary Angus Robertson also attended the event and used a ministerial car to take him from St Andrews House to the cinema, and then home afterwards.

The showing was part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Asked about Gray’s use of ministerial cars for the event, the first minister said he was there “on government business”.

He added: “He was attending a film which is addressing the issues of drug addiction and alcohol addiction, and mental health and wellbeing, and therefore relevant to his portfolio interest.”

The Outrun is a screenplay based on a memoir by Scottish author Amy Liptrot, who returned to her home of Orkney to recover from alcoholism.

Gray’s use of ministerial cars has been called into question recently, following confirmation that he had made use of them to attend several football games.

The health secretary apologised to parliament earlier this month for having “given the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister”.

But he continued to argue his attendance at the matches were “legitimate” because all engagements were official ministerial business.