Neil Gray apologises for 'impression' set in Aberdeen football controversy

Scotland’s Health Secretary has said it is a “matter of regret” that attending football matches involving the team he supports gives the impression he was “acting more as a fan and less as a minister”.

Neil Gray, in a statement to MSPs at Holyrood, insisted it was “legitimate” for him to attend games, but he said he should have “attended a wider range of games” and apologised for that “error”.

He made a statement after coming under fire for attending matches involving Aberdeen FC at Hampden by invitation of the Scottish Football Association, travelling to them in an official ministerial car.

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Speaking at Holyrood, Mr Gray said: "It is a matter of regret to me that, by attending four Aberdeen games, I have given the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister."

While he said he had also attended Scotland national team games and other sporting events, he added: "When it comes to domestic football, I should have ensured I went to see teams other than Aberdeen."

The Health Secretary said: "It was not planned that way, but I should not have allowed that situation to develop.

"I should have made sure that I attended a wider range of games and not just Aberdeen, and I apologise for my error."

Mr Gray went on to tell MSPs that at five of the games he attended – including one Scotland match – he had been accompanied by a family member who had travelled in his ministerial car.

Mr Gray stressed that "this did not come at any additional cost to the taxpayer."

He added that ministers across the UK "are right to attend sporting events" as part of their official role because it is "crucial we engage, support sport and are seen to do so."

While he said he is an Aberdeen fan, he added: "I should not have allowed the impression to be given that this played any role in my engagements."

Earlier on Thursday, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay hit out at the Health Secretary saying ministerial cars are not "free taxis to the football."

During First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Mr Findlay said: "These luxury cars, they’re not free taxis to the football for SNP ministers.

"Neil Gray claims he attended these games to discuss essential Government business.

"He tells us that the social impact investment in sport was on the agenda, this just so happened to be during a major cup tie for the team that he supports.

"In the real world, his excuses lack any credibility – SNP ministers are having us on."

Responding, First Minister John Swinney said: "I expect ministers to be engaged with a variety of stakeholders in events and gatherings around the country, whether they are cultural, societal, social or sporting events.

"That has always been the case in every administration in the United Kingdom and I would expect my ministers to do exactly that."

Mr Swinney went on to say the Health Secretary has undertaken 347 engagements since he took up the job, just five of which were sporting events.

Speaking to journalists following Mr Gray’s statement, the First Minister said he would not refer Mr Gray for an investigation under the ministerial code.

He said the statement had addressed "all the issues that need to be considered" and he now considers the matter "closed."