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| Neil says time is up for Fagan | |
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Central Scotland MSP Alex Neil has again called for the resignation of Airdrie Councillor David Fagan from his position as vice-chair of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. The call comes after fresh allegations of lavish spending were made in a recent KPMG audit. KPMG's report queried SPT's spending on foreign trips, and highlighted one to New York in November 2008 which cost taxpayers £17,500. Cllr Fagan, who earns £11,000 for his role with SPT, was on the trip along with Chief Executive Ron Culley and Councillor Davie McLachlan who have already resigned for their role in the spending fiasco. The SPT scandal was exposed by Graeme Hendry, SNP Councillor from Glasgow, earlier this year and four senior staff caught up in the scandal are no longer in post. Fagan, who also works for Karen Whitefield MSP, had the highest claim of the three on the trip totalling nearly £6000, and Mr Neil feels it is time for him to resign: "The shocking spending on foreign junkets at SPT has really come back to bite Councillor Fagan. "SPT became a gravy train for Labour councillors and their cronies, as is now clear with KPMG's report. SPT management and executive Councillors, including David Fagan spent more than £57,000 on foreign trips. He was part of a trio of senior staff who ran the organisation and directed this spending. He is now the only senior member still in post and it is time he resigned to allow SPT to reform and move on. "Fagan's position has become untenable, he was at the heart of these publicly funded foreign jollies and he has to realise the time has come for his resignation.” |
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