Neil Gray apologises for ‘giving impression’ of acting more like a football fan than minister

Neil Gray has apologised for having “given the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister” when he used ministerial cars to attend football games.

The health secretary insisted his attendance at the matches were “legitimate” because all engagements were official ministerial business.

The row started after declarations in the Scottish Government’s ministerial engagements, travel and gifts register showed Gray had used taxpayer-funded cars to attend four matches of the team he supports, Aberdeen.

The Scottish Conservatives accused Gray of misusing taxpayers’ money for his own benefit.

Making a statement in parliament on Thursday, Gray said: “Attendance at such events is legitimate. What would not be legitimate would be to use that role to pursue non-ministerial interests, including as a fan.

“It is a matter of regret to me, presiding officer, that by attending four Aberdeen games that I have given the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister.”

He said he “should have ensured I went to see teams other than Aberdeen”, adding: “I apologise for my error.”

The health secretary also confirmed he was joined by a family member or guest at several games, who also travelled in the chauffeured car, but added “this did not come at any additional cost to the taxpayer”.

Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said Gray has not “just given that impression” that he had acted more as a fan, but “that’s exactly what he did”.

Calling for him to refer himself to an independent advisor to investigate a possible breach of the ministerial code, Hamilton said: “This is pathetic. These excuses are an embarrassment. He is treating the public as fools. This scandal demands a ministerial code investigation, because it looks like Neil Gray has misused taxpayers’ money for his own benefit.”

She said the taking a family member to the games “proves beyond doubt” it was not official business and urged the health secretary to repay the cost of the ministerial cars in full.

Scottish Labour’s Neil Bibby accepted that while it was legitimate to attend events as a minister, these should also be attended by a civil servant and minuted.

He called for more transparency about the engagements, including whether he was responding to an official invite, who he met, and what issues were discussed.

Gray said it was for the first minister to make a referral under the Scottish ministerial code, and pointed to proactive publication of details of meetings.