Freebies taken from firms with interest in SPT budget By Paul Hutcheon
OFFICIALS in Scotland's largest transport authority have been criticised for accepting thousands of pounds' worth of junkets from bus companies, train operators and consultants.
Bosses at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) have taken sporting freebies to Paris, Christmas hampers and tickets to a Neil Diamond concert from firms with an interest in their budget.
The body's chief executive also accepted an invitation to a Labour fundraising dinner hosted by Alastair Campbell.
SPT helps develop the transport system across 12 local authorities in the west of Scotland, covering road, rail, freight and ferry services. Its budget allows SPT to fund major projects and award contracts to transport companies, management consultants and others.
However, the body's gifts and hospitality register shows that SPT's senior officials have been accepting hundreds of dinners and junkets from a raft of commercial interests.
SPT chairman Alistair Watson, who doubles up as a Labour councillor, has accepted around 55 items of hospitality in the last three years.
Transport giant FirstGroup took him to the 2006 Scottish cup final, as well as to a Celtic v St Johnstone match at Hampden the following year, and two Rangers fixtures this year.
He also enjoyed a Gretna v Hibs match last year courtesy of law firm Anderson Strathern, and accepted freebies from Citylink Coaches to a Rangers Burns supper and a trip to last year's Uefa cup final thanks to City Building.
SPT chief executive Ron Culley, who tried to become a Labour candidate in 1999, is listed as accepting more than 40 items of hospitality in three years.
He accepted invitations from FirstGroup to the France v Scotland match in Paris in 2007, the Scotland v Italy fixture a month later, a Dundee Utd-Rangers game this year, as well as a freebie to a Neil Diamond concert in June.
He also accepted invitations from bus firm Stagecoach to a Labour fundraising dinner hosted by Alastair Campbell, and a Champions League clash involving Celtic and Barcelona. In addition, he was invited to the launch of HMS Diamond by arms firm BAE Systems.
SPT assistant chief executive Gordon Maclennan accepted two separate jollies to Ayr races from law firms Biggart Baillie and Semple Fraser, and a trip to the Braveheart Stakes at the Hamilton race course from engineering company McGrattan Piling.
He is also registered as accepting an invitation to this year's Calcutta Cup rugby match by law firm Maclay, Murray and Spens, a sailing trip by businessman Bob Baldry, and a freebie to the same Neil Diamond concert by FirstGroup.
Another SPT bigwig, listed as "Eric" on the register, accepted Christmas hampers from transport company McKindless and bus manufacturer ADL.
SNP MSP Alex Neil said: "Attending Labour fundraisers is well outside the realm of acceptability. It sounds as if there are too many junkets that are not justifiable. We need a code of conduct for quangos that tightens up the rules."
A spokesman for SPT said: "It is normal practice for business executives to network with others in the same industry at functions. No SPT member of staff has breached any of our guidelines or rules concerning hospitality and gifts. However these are continually reviewed."
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THE FACTS: Bosses at Scottish Passenger Transport (SPT), which covers 12 local authorities in the West of Scotland, have accepted scores of items of hospitality from transport companies and consultants in the last three years.
BACKGROUND: Senior officials across Scotland's public sector regularly accept junkets from firms interested in securing public contracts and money.
