QUESTIONS CONTINUE FOR SCANDAL HIT TRANSPORT BODY

QUESTIONS CONTINUE FOR SCANDAL HIT TRANSPORT BODY

LABOUR CLLR 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.”