2014 Games gifts revealed after chief quits

A REGISTER of the gifts and hospitality for the officials in charge of Glasgow's Commonwealth Games has been published following the resignation of its chief executive.

The move followed calls for Glasgow 2014 to be more open to scrutiny, after John Scott stood down last month because he failed to declare an offer from a potential supplier.

The 2014 organising committee has refused to disclose details of the offer - despite the fact that 80 per cent of the Games' cost is being funded by the taxpayer.

The register shows Mr Scott accepted 21 hospitality offers, which included trips to Wimbledon, the Open and T in the Park.

However, because the offer made to him that resulted in his departure was not declared, it has not appeared on the register published on the event's site.

The Games' organisers claimed that the principle of having the register would be undermined if the offer was included retrospectively.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Conservative deputy leader, said Mr Scott's full accounts should be given. He said: "The organising committee is a taxpayer-funded organisation and people will want to know the reasons for Mr Scott's departure. It is essential that we restore confidence in this project, which will eventually showcase Glasgow and Scotland to the world. Only complete transparency will do."

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie MSP agreed: "This is turning into a farce. The reputation of the Games is at stake.

"It is essential that the full list is published, and if they refuse the First Minister should force them to do it."

The register does contain details of 73 approaches made since 2009 by newspapers, hotel chairmen, professional services firms, sports bodies, IT companies, banks and charities.

Most of the offers were for hospitality, such as invitations to dinner, events or sports matches. The register does not include cash values. However, only around half of the offers were accepted.

According to the Glasgow 2014 gifts and gratuities policy, an offer must be declined if it is inappropriately lavish or disproportionate, or intended to influence procurement or sponsorship decisions.

However, a Glasgow 2014 spokeswoman said the decision to decline an offer did not necessarily mean it had fallen foul of the organisation's ethical compliance officer, and could simply mean that no-one was available on the day.

All offers worth more than 100, whether they were accepted or declined, were included in the register.

The most generous organisation was Scottish Rugby Union. It treated Glasgow 2014 executives and guests to hospitality at four rugby matches, three of which were attended by Mr Scott. An offer to attend a fifth match was declined.

Accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers and insurers Marsh made four offers each. The register shows that Glasgow 2014 executives played golf and had dinner with PwC staff at exclusive Glasgow restaurant Chardon d'Or in 2009.

However, two further approaches, including an invitation for Mr Scott to attend a Take That concert four days before he resigned, were declined.

A statement issued by a Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: "The organising committee has a robust policy where staff are supported with advice from an ethical compliance officer. Gifts and gratuities are regularly declined, but still reported on the register for transparency.

"Enforcement of the policy within our organisation is good and we believe this is reflected in the content of the register."