John Swinney accused of breaking own rules with £7.6k business-class flights

The First Minister took flights and subsistence worth nearly £7,600 for his trip to lobby Donald Trump over Scotch whisky tariffs in September, The Sunday Times has reported.

Travel costs for his chief of staff Colin McAllister were £6,473. The cost for other officials ranged between £4,500 and £5,527.

There was also car rental costs of around £2,449 ($3,283) , a photography bill of around £1,864 ($2,499) and a bill for a business lunch for around £1,145 ( $1,535).

Mr Swinney stayed with then US ambassador Peter Mandelson during the trip and refused to comment on whether he was comfortable staying with the former Labour MP due to revelations about his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The Scottish Government’s travel policies say that economy class should be used for flights of less than 10 hours. Business class is only allowed if a flight is more than 10 hours one way, or “unless previously agreed.”

Flights from Edinburgh to Washington DC usually take seven to eight hours. This is the only airport which flies to the US capital.

The Scottish Government said ministers and officials are allowed to travel by business class where this is unavoidable due to urgency or availability. It is understood that the first minister’s travel requirements are defined by security requirements.

A spokesperson added: “This cost was for a return flight to the USA to support the first minister in meetings in Washington DC to set out the case for a reduction in tariffs on Scotch whisky.

“The United States is the largest and most valuable market for Scotch whisky, with exports worth nearly £1 billion in 2024, highlighting how crucial the US market is to the Scotch whisky industry.”

Douglas Lumsden, a Scottish Conservative MSP, said: “Scots facing rising bills will question why they have had to fork out for John Swinney and his senior adviser to fly business class on this trip.

“It appears the rules were shifted so they didn’t have to slum it in economy class with all the other passengers. John Swinney is happy to lead from the front when it comes to his government frequently breaking the rules.”