Glasgow's Lord Provost 'sorry' for expenses row

Glasgow's Lord Provost has apologised and said she will repay her expenses after it emerged she claimed £8,000 for clothes.

Calls were made for Eva Bolander to resign after it was revealed she had spent taxpayers money on 23 pairs of shoes, 7 blazers, 14 dresses, 5 coats, 6 jackets and underwear.

She has since sent a letter to councillors saying it is a "privileged to represent and advocate for Glasgow" and is sorry for claiming for items that she "should not have chosen to reclaim."

In her letter sent to councillors, she wrote: "As Lord Provost I am privileged to represent and advocate for Glasgow, its communities and people at hundreds of events - from local gala days to diplomatic events and solemn occasions such as Remembrance Sunday.

"Over the first two-and-a-half years of my term, I have been proud to be able to open up the city's civic functions to new groups and events; including volunteers, community councillors, LGBT Pride and Black History Month.

"It has always been recognised that the role of Lord Provost carries an additional cost, taking place as it does almost entirely in the public eye.

"However, the role of First Citizen must be open to any elected member of the Council. I hope we can all agree that it is appropriate to ensure that members who might take on this position are not excluded from doing so by not having the resources to carry out the role.

"In submitting claims, I have always tried to ask myself the question, 'would I require this if I were not Lord Provost?' Each has been made in good faith and scrupulously accounted for, within the rules.

"Although the spending incurred was within the rules, on reflection there are items which I should not have chosen to reclaim.

"I am sorry about that and I am in discussion with financial services to come to an arrangement to repay the relevant expenditure."

Scottish Labour MSP James Kelly said: “The SNP's Lord Provost has been caught red handed.

“It's only right that she will pay back some of the money she took from taxpayers in Glasgow for trips to nail bars, hairdressers and department stores.

“It's not only councillors that are owed an apology, the people of Glasgow are.

“There's no way that Eva Bolander can continue in her role. She should cash her final expenses claims and do the honourable thing and resign.''

Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells added: “She has wasted a scandalous amount of public money, and these late attempts to pay some of it back don't make up for that.

“To think that these claims were acceptable in the first place shows a startling lack of judgment, and it's clear that she needs to go.

“There's no way that she can continue in her role, and she must now do the right thing and stand down.''

Glasgow Labour councillor Martin McElroy described the Lord Provost's apology as a “step in the right direction'', but added: “Ultimately, her judgment is now in question.''

Calling for any money she repays to go towards tackling poverty in the city, Mr McElroy said: “This episode has rightfully caused outrage and undermined trust.

“In the same week that campaigning organisations are highlighting the lasting damage of poverty and inequality in our city, these expenses were a slap in the face to thousands of struggling Glaswegians.

“In the spirit of rebuilding trust and of Challenge Poverty Week, the Lord Provost should repay the funds towards challenging poverty in the city.

“A report published today shows that there are potentially tens of thousands of people across Glasgow not being paid the real living wage.

“The Lord Provost should use these misspent funds to help contribute to the fantastic campaigners and organisations across Glasgow that are fighting poverty and inequality.'

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