SNP leader slammed for flying business class to the US for the football tournament
John Swinney has defended the cost of the trip to the US (Image: Getty)
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has come under fire over the cost of his trip to the US for the World Cup. The SNP leader jetted across the pond to watch the Scotland men’s national team take part in the football tournament for the first time in 28 years, in June.
According to data published by the Scottish Government under freedom-of-information legislation, almost £100,000 was spent on the jaunt by Mr Swinney and Scottish Government officials, along with another visit by sports minister Maree Todd. The huge sum includes business class flights for the SNP politician, his private secretary John Webster and chief of staff Colin McAllister costing more than £45,000.
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Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: “John Swinney flew business class on his PR trip to the World Cup … his flight alone cost taxpayers £18,000.
“He took an entourage of eight staff to the USA and spent £8,000 on car hire.
“Remember this when SNP politicians talk about the cost of living and value for taxpayers.”
Scottish Tory MSP Stephen Kerr added: “This is disgusting.
“Nearly £100,000 of taxpayers’ money spent on John Swinney, an SNP minister and their entourage going to the World Cup.
“The scale of this is incredible. £98,442. On this.
“While taxpayers are being hammered and public services are crying out for money, SNP ministers seem to think the public purse is there to fund luxury travel for themselves and their advisers.
“It is absolutely indefensible. John Swinney should explain every penny of it.”
But Mr Swinney defended the cost of the trip, telling the BBC: “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” the First Minister and officials made the trip to “make significant international connections”.