Scottish Health Secretary Faces Criticism Over Football Trips

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray faced criticism for using a ministerial car to attend three Aberdeen football matches at Hampden Park, which he and a government spokesperson defended as part of his official duties related to sports. Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin emphasized that Gray's attendance was in line with government responsibilities, stating he would not have been allowed to use the car without an official reason. Gray, who is an Aberdeen fan, received VIP tickets from the Scottish Football Association (SFA) for the matches and registered the trips as ministerial engagements discussing the social impact of sports. His attendance included two League Cup matches and one Scottish Cup semi-final, with the visits logged as part of his role in promoting sports as part of public health. The Scottish Government reiterated that all travel was in accordance with policies aimed at delivering value for taxpayers. This incident comes amid broader scrutiny of politicians' acceptance of free tickets, echoing previous controversies involving other political figures.