Independent investigators have been urged to open an investigation into whether SNP Health Secretary broke the Minister’s Code of Conduct By misleading MSP over his use of limousines to travel to football matches.

Stephen Kerr, a Scottish Tory MSP, wrote to the three counselors to the ministerial code and urged them to investigate Neil Gray’s claim that there were official registers to support his claim that he worked at all matches he participated.

In a letter to the advisers, seen by Telegraph, he claimed that Mr. Gray must have known that this was untrue when the Scottish government responded to a request for freedom information (FOI) on December 13, which stated that there were no such documents for four of matches.

But Kerr said that Mr. Gray “did not recognize or correct his misleading statement” until January 21 – more than a month later – after being directly challenged in the Holyody Chamber.

The Health Secretary apologizes for misleading MSPs with an “unintentional error”.

Mr. Kerr quoted the section of the code, which says that ministers must “provide accurate and truthful information to Parliament and correct all unintentional errors at the earliest time. Ministers who deliberately mislead Parliament are expected to offer their departure to the first minister.

After John Swinney Refused to order an investigation on Thursday, Kerr asked the three counselors to initiate an investigation with new powers they have received that allow them to act without a reference from the first minister.

Mr Swinney announced the appointment of the trio last month – Claire Loftus, the former head of prosecutor in Ireland; Sir John Manzoni, a former cabinet office permanent secretary and CEO of the official; And Sir Ernest Ryder, former Lord Justice of Appeal and Senior President of Tribunals.

Mr. Kerr said: “The proof clearly shows that Neil Gray failed to follow the ministerial code. He knew in mid -December that his previous statements were false, but he waited over a month to deal with this with Parliament.

“This is not just a violation of the ministerial code but a serious failure of liability and openness. The public deserves answers, and I urge the independent counselors to investigate this issue urgently. “

In his letter to the advisers, he claimed: “The people in Scotland deserve the assurance that ministers are kept to the highest standards, and your independent role is crucial to maintaining this principle.”

The Scottish Tory also wrote to Swinney to say that he was “deeply dissatisfied” with the first minister’s refusal to order an investigation and that he asked for the counselors “to start his own investigation”.

Mr. Gray was forced to comment on the Scottish Parliament in November last year after it emerged that he had used his taxpayer-funded limousine to repeatedly watch football matches with Aberdeen-his favorite club page and Scotland.

“More a fan, less minister”

He admitted that he took family members with him and seemed to act “more like a fan and less as a minister”. But he insisted that the matches were government activities that motivated the use of his limousine.

According to the ministerial rules, all such companies should be registered and Mr. Gray said that “summaries” of his meetings would be available to “all” the matches he participated in.

But it turned out this week that there were no items that support his claim that he worked at four of the matches he participated in – three Scotland games and 2023 League Cup final between Aberdeen And Rangers.

This had been revealed by the Scottish government December 13 FOI response, but the health secretary just apologizes this week to MSP’s for his “unintentional errors” after being directly challenged by Kerr.

Swinney insisted that Gray has acted “completely appropriately in its responsibility towards Parliament and in accordance with the Ministerial Code”.

However, the first minister said that he would “invite my independent advisers to consider the opinion I have taken and they will be free to make that decision to open an investigation”.

A Scottish government spokesman said: “This letter has been received and will be shared with the independent advisors. The independent advisers have already been announced on this issue.

Broaden your horizons with award -winning British journalism. Try Telegraph for free for a month with unlimited access to our award -winning website, exclusive app, money -saving offers and more.