Moray MP Douglas Ross has slammed SNP Moray MSP Richard Lochhead’s “hypocrisy” after it emerged he took a series of limousine trips during the COP26 summit last year.
Douglas has hit out after it was revealed the local MSP, who is also the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Minister made six trips to and from the conference using the Scottish Government’s car service.
In addition, Mr Lochhead also used a limousine to travel from Queen Street Station in Glasgow to the blue zone at the Scottish Exhibition Centre, despite a regular shuttle bus service being available.
The details were reported in The Telegraph, after the Scottish Government finally updated their list of Ministerial Travel Engagements that were undertaken in November 2021.
Douglas says that Richard Lochhead’s journeys are the “height of hypocrisy” and that he should “practice what he preaches” as he encourages the public to reduce their car journeys.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “This is the height of hypocrisy from Richard Lochhead. His role within the Scottish Government meant he had a role at this summit which was world-leading in ensuring that targets were set to tackle the climate emergency.
“Yet Moray’s SNP MSP was all too happy to use the luxury of his ministerial limo rather than leading by example.
“One on occasion, he even avoided the regular bus shuttle service to jump into the government car service.
“Like many delegates I took advantage of the train and shuttle busses to attend COP26, I really can’t understand why Richard Lochhead didn’t do the same.
"I’m sure he will try to excuse his Limo use by saying they are environmentally friendly vehicles, but most others attending were happy to use public transport and Richard Lochhead should have done the same.
“Richard Lochhead should explain why he made regular journeys to the COP26 summit by car, rather than making use of the alternative public transport on offer or even just getting out and walking between some of the locations.”