Hampden perk

Justice minister and family member take chauffeur-driven government car to watch Old Firm cup final

- PAUL HUTCHEON

• Fury at junket' as families

• Constance has learned face cost-of-living struggle nothing' from Neil Gray row

JUSTICE Secretary Angela Constance and a close family member were taken to the Old Firm league cup final in a chauffeur-driven government car.

The minister enjoyed the perk two days before rules were introduced clamping down on relatives using ministerial limos.

Family and friends can only now travel in a government car with a minister when it is "clearly in the public interest" or on an "exceptional basis".

The rules were overhauled after Health Secretary Neil Gray and a family member used taxpayer-funded cars to go to games at Hampden involving his beloved Aberdeen.

Now a second government minister has been dragged into the limo scandal.

The Scottish Government last night defended Constance. But opponents claim such perks are unjustified.

Former Labour MSP and antipoverty campaigner Neil Findlay said: "At a time when families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and public services are on the brink, it will stick in the throat of voters to see a well-paid Cabinet Secretary using a ministerial car in this way. The Justice Secretary must provide full transparency on this junket."