Justice Secretary Angela Constance has dodged questions on why a family member enjoyed a ride in a Government car to Sunday’s Old Firm League Cup Final.
She claimed it is not “uncommon” for Ministers to be accompanied by relatives at events, despite a clampdown on family using taxpayer-funded limos.
As revealed by the Record, Constance attended Hampden as a guest of the Scottish Professional Football League.
A chauffeur-driven Government car took her and a close family member to the match.
But two days later the Government revised the ministerial ethics code by heavily restricting the use of the vehicles by family.
Asked by the media about the row, Constance said: “The invitation was extended to me as Justice Secretary. I am not known as a football fan. I am not a follower of football.
“But I did feel compelled to attend this particular football match, bearing in mind the growing concerns that we have about the use of pyrotechnics within our communities but also within football stadiums.
“I can assure you that my attendance and discussions, extensive discussions with the SPFL, were instructive. Unfortunately, there was demonstrable use of pyrotechnics at the match, completely unacceptable.”
“I will continue to engage with the football authorities because we have to put a stop to this.”
She was asked why she brought a family member with her: “It’s not uncommon for either ministers or MSPs to attend engagements, whether it is in their own constituency, or elsewhere, accompanied by a family member.” Constance was asked how taking a relative to Hampden helped her discuss serious issues like pyrotechnics, but she walked away.
The new rules say of government cars and family members: “It is permissible for a close family member to travel with a Minister in an official car on occasions where it is clearly in the public interest for them to attend an official engagement and/or where it is justified on security grounds.
“In all other circumstances, close family members should only travel with a Minister in an official car on an exceptional basis and where this does not incur any additional public expenditure or impact on the delivery of the official duties of the Minister concerned.”
An SPFL spokesman said: “For many years, as is customary, we’ve been very pleased to be joined by members of the Scottish Government and politicians from different parties at these flagship occasions.”
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