Council row over Rolls
QUESTIONS have been asked after an anonymous donor gifted the Lord Provost a Rolls Royce Ghost car.
The council is refusing to say who gifted the luxury vehicle, which would cost £235,305 new.
THE car of choice for the rich and famous with a taste for flamboyant lifestyles, the Rolls-Royce Ghost is popular with singers, film stars and even gangster rappers.
And now, Glasgow’s Lord Provost Eva Bolander will join the likes of Rod Stewart, Jennifer Lopez and Puff Daddy as a regular passenger after the city council was gifted one by an “anonymous donor”.
The luxury car, which would cost around £235,305 to buy new, will be used to drive the Lord Provost to official events and by visiting VIPs.
But the council is refusing to reveal who gifted the luxury car – sparking a fierce backlash from city politicians over transparency and the vehicle’s appropriateness.
Lord Provost Eva Bolander said: “On behalf of the city, I’d like to thank the donor for their civic generosity and philanthropy.
“I want Glasgow to show its best face to the world and this gift will help us do that.
“It’s a show-stopping car and a tremendous asset.”
The council says the RollsRoyce will replace one of its Volkswagen Phaetons, due to have its lease renewed, and will actually save the authority money.
But with a monster 6.6L engine capable of 0-60mph in under five seconds, the car’s high fuel consumption could result in annual fuel bills stretching into thousands.
The Ghost averages 15 miles per gallon, meaning one gallon of petrol would barely get the Lord Provost from one side of Glasgow to another. From Clydebank to Baillieston is 14 miles.
Labour, Conservative and Green councillors said the gift and the donor should be declared openly.
Labour group leader, Frank McAveety said: “The council said it would be open and transparent, but the people of Glasgow would like to know where it has come from.”
Conservative councillor, Thomas Kerr, said: “It’s ridiculous – doubling up early years, introducing swimming charges and the Lord Provost’s driving around in a Rolls-Royce.
“Serious questions need to be asked. Why is no-one telling us where it has come from?
“I think a lot of working parents and families will think this is a slap in the face to them.”
Jon Molyneux, Green councillor, said “It would be great to move beyond a culture that thinks gas-guzzling status symbols are necessary to show off our city to guests, when there are clearly more sustainable and more appropriate alternatives.
“However, what will concern citizens most is the anonymous nature of this elite-level gift. In an era when people rightly expect full transparency it would clearly
It’s ridiculous – doubling up early years, introducing swimming charges and the Lord Provost’s driving around in a Rolls-Royce
be better if the donor made their identity public.”
The council’s policy on acceptance of gifts for employees states: “Employees should notify a member of their Service leadership team, or nominated authorising officer of all offers, whether accepted, declined or used for charitable purpose. This must be recorded in the Gift and Hospitality register within 7 days of the offer.”
Other celebrity owners of the Rolls-Royce Ghost include American rappers Ice-T and The Game, and boxer Floyd (Money) Mayweather.