Neil Gray ‘sorry’ after chauffeur trips to football

Gray was given VIP tickets to Aberdeen matches at Hampden three times, once in his current role and twice when he was wellbeing economy, fair work and energy secretary.

The Airdrie and Shotts MSP watched Aberdeen v Hibernian in Scottish League Cup semi-final in November, and the final against Rangers in December, as well as the semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Celtic in April.

The minister was also driven to an Aberdeen home league match against Livingston in May during a day of ministerial visits in the city.

He said he was a guest of the SPFL at the first two matches, and of the SFA at the Celtic match.

Gray told MSPs he discussed a range of issues at the Hampden matches, including pyrotechnics, business engagement in sport and the SPFL’s work to support community wellbeing.

In March 2022, while serving as minister for culture, Europe and international development, Gray used the chauffeur service to go to Scotland matches against Ukraine and Poland.

After becoming economy secretary, he was driven to two European Championship qualifiers against Georgia and Norway in June and November 2023.

Last month, he attended Scotland’s game against Portugal at Hampden.