Taxpayers helped Alex Salmond to treat dentist

Published on Tuesday 10 November 2009 21:31

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has been accused of "misusing public funds" after it emerged taxpayers' money was used to entertain his personal dentist.

The Scottish Government's most recent entertainment register has revealed that Murray Bremner and his wife Jane were treated to a "Runrig dinner" on 29 August this year at Scone Palace in Perthshire, and VIP tickets to the pop concert that followed.

Mr Salmond previously gave the Bremners Royal Box tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo in 2007, the week after Mr Bremner performed root canal treatment on the First Minister.

This was followed by a 1,400 meal at Bute House, the First Minister's official residence, along with former Commons Speaker Michael Martin and Sir Angus Grossart, who now chairs the Scottish Futures Trust.

Also on the hospitality register are three members of the Alongi family who run one of Mr Salmond's favourite Italian restaurants, Jolly's. They were invited to dinner at Bute House to mark a Royal Garden Party in July.

The invitations, which came just weeks after the MPs' expenses scandal broke, have added to increasing concerns of a "cronyism" culture surrounding the First Minister. Mr Bremner is reportedly bemused by the invitations he received, saying: "I don't have a huge interest in politics because I don't trust politicians." But Mr Salmond also spoke last year at a dentists' dinner chaired by Mr Bremner.

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "This misuse of funds shows the First Minister's disregard for public money. At the very least, he should pay the money back."

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie added: "Whilst everyone else is tightening their belts, Alex Salmond is handing out gifts to his friends."

However, a spokesman for the First Minister said that it was "normal practice" to invite a range of guests to official events. He added that, unlike previous administrations, the current Scottish Government publishes all the full guest lists.

"All First Ministers, and before them, Secretaries of State, had invited guests to a range of events," he said. "This has been totally normal, totally appropriate – the only difference is that we publish the information."

The dinner at Scone took place before a concert to celebrate the arrival of a stone carving, which formed part of the official Homecoming programme. The concert was attended by 15,000 people.

The event also saw the launch by Mr Salmond of a not-for-profit charitable initiative, the spokesman said.