£60k bill to fly climate official to meetings
UNIVERSITY chiefs have been criticised for spending almost £60,000 to fly in a climate change official from Singapore for meetings.
Kathryn McPhail travelled business class four times a year to attend the court of Aberdeen University.
The chief executive officer of climate change organisation EnergyCC flew from Singapore to Scotland for 31 meetings over the past eight years.
A total of £57,050 was spent on flights and a further £ ,316 on taxis for the meetings.
It is understood her role was to help the university court, a panel of unpaid experts who oversee its finances and properties, find ways to help tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
She stepped down from her university court role after the completion of her third term at the end of July.
University officials said all expenses paid were assessed and met its guidelines.
However, Mary Senior, who is Scotland official at the University and College Union, said: ‘It is quite galling to see universities prepared to shell out thousands of pounds on flights and taxis to jet people in from across the globe for meetings.
‘This looks like another embarrassing example of the incredible detachment between those at the top of our universities and everybody else.’
A spokesman for Aberdeen University said last night: ‘Travel and expenses incurred in attending meetings are paid to court members in line with university guidelines.’
Mrs McPhail was unavailable for comment.
‘Embarrassing example’