Teacake tycoon comes forward as donor of luxury Rolls-royce
It is not so much a storm in a tea cup as a storm in a tea cake.
Boyd Tunnock, one of Scotland’s richest men and the head of the well-known confectionery firm, yesterday confirmed he is the mystery donor who gave a Rolls Royce to Scotland’s biggest local authority.
The £235,000 luxury Rolls Royce Ghost model will be used by Eva Bolander, the Lord Provost of Glasgow, and other city representatives. It will also be used to transport VIPS around the city.
However, the Snp-run local authority’s acceptance of the anonymous donation earlier this week sparked a political backlash, with Paul Sweeney, the Labour MP, describing it as a “Dickensian” gesture at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet.
Now, Mr Tunnock - whose family-run firm makes Caramel Wafers and Tunnock’s Teacakes - said he gifted the council the car, which he previously used to travel around the city.
He explained: “I have to say I’ve been a bit surprised by the reaction to this. All sorts of important people come to Glasgow and I thought it would be right to give them a nice experience.
“Glasgow always had a Rolls Royce and I was able to give mine to the city so I thought, why not?”
The Rolls Royce Ghost will replace one of the council’s Volkswagen Phaetons that was due to have its lease renewed and will save the city money, according to the council.
Mr Tunnock said he “didn’t want any credit” for the gift and has asked for the city to maintain his anonymity. In the wake of the political outcry and questions over conflicts of interest, however, he said he is “quite happy for people to know it’s me.”
According to The Scottish Sun, John Kane, a Labour councillor in Glasgow, helped facilitate the donation of the car, which now bears the council’s unique ‘G0’ registration plate,
Earlier this week, Mr Sweeney suggested the car should be auctioned off by the council. He tweeted: “It’s Dickensian to have the Lord Provost of Glasgow swanning around in a new 8 mpg chauffeur driven Rolls Royce while local council services are cut by SNP austerity.”
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “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.”
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