I’m sorry, says SNP provost as she quits over £8k spending
A NATIONALIST Lord Provost who billed the taxpayer for 23 pairs of shoes as part of an £8,000 spending spree issued an ‘unreserved apology’ as she stepped down yesterday.
Eva Bolander quit her position at Glasgow City Council following a two-minute speech at the beginning of a full council meeting.
She took the opportunity to defend the £5,000 annual taxpayer-funded ‘civic allowance’ she used in her splurge. Among her claims were £297 for underwear and ‘hosiery’, £751 for ten haircuts, £479-worth of nail treatments and £66 for make-up.
However, the 59-year-old admitted she should not have spent the cash on some of the items.
Miss Bolander’s spending spree was exposed earlier this month following a Freedom of Information request. Speaking at Glasgow City Chambers yesterday, she said: ‘ This past twoand-a-half years have been among the proudest of my life.
‘It has always been recognised that the role as Lord Provost carries an additional cost as it takes place almost entirely in the public eye. It is for this reason the civic allowance set by the Scottish Government is i n place; it ensures that the rule of first citizen is open to any elected member in the chamber and especially anyone who hasn’t got the resources to do so.
‘My spending incurred was within the rules and guidance. However, on reflection there are items that I should have chosen to not reclaim, and for that I apologise unreservedly to my colleagues across the chamber and especially to the people of Glasgow.
‘I’m grateful for having been given the opportunity to represent Glasgow and all of its communities and people, but it is with the city’s best interests at heart that I am resigning with effect f rom after this statement.
‘Glasgow is a fantastic city, it is a city emerging on a global scale, and I am proud to have played a small part of that.’ Swedish-born Miss Bolander told councillors that she will continue to represent her constituents in the Anderston/City/ Yorkhill ward.
The expenses claims, dating from May 2017 to August 2019, included receipts for 150 items of clothing, j ewellery and make-up.
The SNP councillor’s spending spree led to comparisons with Imelda Marcos, the extravagant former First Lady of the Philippines known for her love of designer shoes.
Deputy Lord Provost Philip Braat will take over until Miss Bolander’s replacement is elected.
Speaking at the council meeting yesterday, he said: ‘We thank Councillor Bolander for her work and her service over the past two-and-a-half years.
‘I have seen at first-hand that the role of Lord Provost is not always an easy one, but councillor Bolander has served the city well while in post.
‘Also as her colleague I have seen at first-hand the work that Councillor Bolander has done i n serving her constituents in the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward. I know that she will continue to deliver for the constituents.’
Following the furore over her use of taxpayers’ cash, Miss Bolander pulled out of an event aimed at highlighting poverty.
The councillor, who lives in a plush property in Glasgow’s
‘I apologise unreservedly’
upmarket Hyndland area, also faced heavy criticism in June last year for accepting on behalf of the council a £235,000 RollsRoyce Ghost limousine from confectionery tycoon Sir Boyd Tunnock.
Her expenses claims came after the cash- strapped local authority imposed a 3 per cent rise in council tax.
By contrast, Glasgow’s previous Lord Provost, Sadie Docherty, did not claim any expenses for clothing during her tenure from 2015 to 2017.
Each local authority is given an annual £5,000 ‘civic allowance’ by the Scottish Government, which means it is funded by t axpayers across t he country.
Miss Bolander’s c l a i ms included £358 for a pair of spectacles, £200 for a hat made by designer milliner William Chambers, £389 for Harris Tweed fabric and £55 for a blouse.
She previously pledged to repay some of the money.