Business cash funds US trip

BUSINESS leaders have come to the rescue of the city council to help fund a controversial investor event in the United States, it emerged today.

City leaders were widely criticised earlier this year after it emerged they intended to spend up to 10,000 sending a delegation to the United States to greet Edinburgh's entry in the round-the-world yacht race.

The events in San Francisco and New York also included a reception for potential investors.

Council leader Jenny Dawe today revealed that Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce agreed to sponsor her travel costs, while Scottish Development International met half of the costs of the investor events.

She described the arrangement as "a very helpful demonstration of partnership working".