Exclusive:Ministers banned from buying concert tickets on work devices after Neil Gray's Oasis blunder
The Scottish Government’s IT policy has been updated.
Government bosses have launched a crackdown on IT use in the wake of Neil Gray’s Oasis ticket blunder.
The health secretary was forced to admit he had been queuing for passes to the band’s reunion tour while chairing a meeting at the SNP conference.
Now, internal computer use policies at the Scottish Government have been changed to ban staff from buying theatre, gig or sports tickets on work devices.
A government spokeswoman said the policy, which extends to ministers and civil servants, had been updated to better reflect “modern hybrid working”, insisting the rules were unrelated to any questions regarding ministers' behaviour.
However, insiders were sceptical.
A government source said: “There is not a Scottish civil servant alive who believes this change isn’t directly related to Mr Gray.”
In a swipe at the cabinet minister, they added: “Not all of us needed it pointed out.”
Mr Gray was taking part in a panel event run by St Andrews University on Alzheimer’s disease at last year’s SNP conference.
He joked to the audience that he was hoping for luck in securing tickets on his phone to the band’s Live ’25 tour.
When the story was first reported by the Sunday Mail, the SNP MSP took to social media to issue a denial.
But he later u-turned and confessed to broadcaster LBC he had been buying tickets after all.
Policies and procedures are shared with staff on an internal computer system called Saltire.
The section on correct use of government devices comes under a section called “Inappropriate use of SCOTS.”
Staff are also told not to stream, upload or share content “not consistent with Scottish Government values”.
They are also told not to gamble, set up or run private businesses, stream entertainment programmes or make or view pornography.
Staff are not allowed to sell or purchase items - except second-hand items between colleagues.
On December 4, however, the system was changed to include the edict that staff must not “Purchase entertainment or sport tickets for personal usage, or to hold your place in queues for these items.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: “Hopefully this clampdown will avoid any future situations such as Neil Gray getting caught trying to buy tickets for the Oasis reunion.
“There was no excuse for the health secretary being half the world away when he was meant to be chairing a key panel on Alzheimer’s disease.”
In the Scottish Government, mobile phones are referred to as COPE - corporately owned privately enabled - devices.
The IT policy also sets out that government ministers and staff must not install or use mobile messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
This change was implemented after The UK Covid inquiry revealed officials and ministers - including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon - had deleted WhatsApp messages exchanged during the pandemic.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes made the announcement last year in response to an external review into the use of messaging services and it came into effect in spring this year.
Ms Forbes said her government was committed to "standards of openness, transparency, and accountability".
"Government business should happen on government systems which are secure, searchable and allow the appropriate sharing of information, in line with our statutory duties," the Deputy First Minister said in a statement to parliament.
Corporate-approved apps, such as Teams and email, are allowed but personal phones are banned for official business.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “In an era of hybrid and mobile working, and following consultation with trade unions, the IT code of conduct has been updated to clarify reasonable use of IT equipment.”
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