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Questions continue for scandal hit transport body |
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Sunday, 13 June 2010 |
 Labour councillor at
heart of expenses row still in post
Ahead of a parliamentary debate on scandal hit Glasgow transport
body SPT and the future of the subway system SNP MSP Sandra White and
Glasgow Cllr Graeme Hendry have highlighted continuing concerns over the
operation of the organisation and its claims to have cleaned up its
act.
Following a series of revelations over the use of SPT expenses for
globetrotting trips by Labour councillors and senior officials a report
by accountants KPMG raised concerns over practices at the organisation.
Recently it was revealed that SPT pays for
membership of a golf club, today the Sunday Times revealed that £12,500
was spent on a two day executive development event and questions
continue over the role of Labour Cllr David Fagan, who participated in
the questionable trips.
Glasgow SNP MSP Sandra White said: "The revelations over the lavish
expenses of SPT for luxury trips and travel at a time when subway
services were getting worse angered people across Glasgow.
"SPT is now being watched very closely and as the Parliament debates the
role of SPT and the subway's future it is essential we know the body
charged with running Glasgow's transport service is focussed on
transport for the public not trips for councillors.
"If the new leadership want to show things have changed they should
ensure that there are no hangovers from the old regime left on the board
to continue to benefit from SPT largesse."
SNP Glasgow Cllr Graeme Hendry whose work exposed the extravagance of
expenses claims by many senior members of the organisation said: "KPMG's
audit report exposed the way SPT became a gravy train for Labour
councillors and their cronies and I hope the Accounts Commission will be
asked to investigate.
"IT is impossible to see how a councillor who lived the highlife
courtesy of SPT and played a prominent role in one of the most
questionable claims of all - an all expenses paid trip to New York for
which the receipts have largely disappeared - can survive as a vice
convener of this organisation.
"It is time for Cllr Fagan to go and for SPT to take up the suggestion
of all opposition parties across the West of Scotland that there is
cross party representation at the top of the organisation to bring real
clarity to its actions."
Note:
See here.
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