So how did SNP provost end up with a £250,000 Roller once driven by Unionist teacake tycoon?
Car resprayed and given away by anonymous donor
A £235,000 Rolls-Royce which was donated to a Scots council by a mystery benefactor was once driven by millionaire businessman Boyd Tunnock.
The Rolls-Royce Ghost was given to Glasgow City Council by a mystery donor but, according to the vehicle’s history, it was used up until last December by confectioner Mr Tunnock.
The lavish car will be used by the SNP Lord Provost Eva Bolander for official engagements and will replace one of the council’s Volkswagen Phaetons that was due to have its lease renewed.
Ironically, Mr Tunnock backed the Union during the 2014 referen-cars
‘What image does this send out?’
dum debate and his firm has drawn the ire of some Nationalists for daring to call its most famous product the ‘Great British tea cake’ and not using its Scottish lion rampant in an English advertising campaign.
Miss Bolander announced the arrival of the vehicle, which bears the SNP-led authority’s ‘G0’ number plate, earlier this week by posing for a photo outside the offices of the council.
According to the history of the car, it was in the hands of 85-yearold Mr Tunnock between March 2016, when it was brand new, and December 2017.
However, it is unclear what happened to it between December 2017 and when it ended up being given to Glasgow council.
While in the possession of Mr Tunnock, the car was still in its original silver colour and featured the number plate AT12. Mr Tunnock is well-known for his love of and the Rolls-Royce brand. His family’s wealth is estimated at £75million, just behind Sir Sean Connery on Scotland’s rich list. The managing director and majority owner has been at the helm of the company for 30 years since the death of his father, Archie.
But before the top-end car was handed over to the council, it received a full respray in glossy black by the anonymous donor.
The delivery of the expensive gift has caused controversy after council bosses refused to release the identity of the donor.
On Wednesday, Labour Glasgow North East MP Paul Sweeney tweeted: ‘It’s Dickensian to have the Lord Provost of Glasgow swanning around in an eight mpg chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce while local council services are cut by SNP austerity.’
He added: ‘Auction it off to fund services for Glaswegians.’
Tory councillor Thomas Kerr said: ‘It seems they have blindsided themselves because at no point did any of the council officers think this was inappropriate. The SNP campaigned on being open and transparent, complaining of the “dark corners” of the city chambers under Labour.
‘Then less than a year after they got into office, the Lord Provost accepts this car without revealing to the council members or to the public where it came from. It stinks of hypocrisy.’
Tory MSP Annie Wells said: ‘Glasgow City Council have serious questions to answer here. Having just hiked childcare fees, what sort of image is this sending out to hard-working families in the city?’
A council spokesman said: ‘When the donation was offered, it was made clear the donor wished to remain anonymous.
‘We will not be confirming or denying any names put to us regarding their identity.
‘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.
‘It’s important to remember this is a donation which has not cost the council anything and in fact will save money.
‘It would clearly not be appropriate to buy a car such as this but having received it as a donation there will be occasions when it is appropriate to use it.’
Mr Tunnock did not respond to a request for comment.