COUNCIL CHIEF MADE CALL ON ROLLS
City’s backlash over decision to accept luxury car
A LUXURY Rolls-Royce gifted to the Glasgow City Council anonymously was approved by the chief executive, the Evening Times can reveal.
Critics described the move as “Dickensian”.
THE chief executive of Glasgow City Council took the decision to approve and accept an anonymous gift of a luxury Rolls-Royce Ghost car.
As revealed in yesterday’s Evening Times, the council accepted the 6.6-litre luxury car – which costs almost £235,000 new – from an “anonymous donor”, sparking a furious backlash over transparency from opposition councillors and members of the public.
Glasgow MP Paul Sweeney even called for the vehicle to be sold off with cash reinvested in the city.
He tweeted: “It’s Dickensian to have the Lord Provost of Glasgow swanning around in a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce while local council services are cut by SNP austerity.”
However, Glasgow City Council confirmed Annemarie O’Donnell personally scrutinised the offer and the donor, and was satisfied there was ‘no conflict’ if the gift was to be accepted.
The authority stressed the donor requested anonymity, and the council’s most senior official agreed after carrying out a diligence exercise.
The controversial acceptance of the gift has drawn a furious reaction on social media following the report, with many posting under the Twitter hashtag “#rollergate”.
However, the council stressed it is satisfied the donation is legitimate.
A spokeswoman for the council said: “When the donation was offered, it was made clear the donor wished to remain anonymous.
“The chief executive of the council personally carried out a diligence exercise; looking into the donation and donor.
“She was of the view that there was no conflict and that it was to the city’s benefit to accept the gift.
“On that basis, she was content to agree to the donor’s request for anonymity.”
The spokeswoman added the donor wanted to make the car available and did not want any publicity.
Responding to a question about whether it will be registered as a gift, the spokeswoman added: “No, this was a donation to the city, not to any individual.”
Commenters across Facebook and Twitter have blasted the decision.
Eugene Kelly said: “Definitely not a good image to portray in 2018.
Lander Hynd added: “Sell it and put it towards all these vital services that are cash strapped.”
“Not the image I want to see in an independent Scotland” said Ian Findlayson.
Bea Johanssen said: “Some Scottish politicians seem to be out of control and drunk on their own sense of importance.”
Joanne Frances commented: “Should be sold and more funds for our kids, it’s disgusting.”
However, some have supported the move.
Darren Andrew Park posted: “Fine by me. Private citizen wants to gift an asset to council and remain anonymous, no probs.”
Carol Monaghan SNP Glasgow North West MP said: “Beautiful. Big thanks to the generous donor.”