Police watchdog to give up Clutha funerals expenses cash
THE boss of Scotland’s police watchdog sparked fury after billing taxpayers for expenses to attend the funerals of service personnel killed in the Clutha helicopter disaster.
Vic Emery, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), yesterday said he would “seek clarity” from ministers following a backlash over his expenses claims.
Mr Emery, who earned £90,000 last year, also vowed to donate the cash he received to the Clutha Trust, set up to help disadvantaged children in the wake of the tragedy.
Ten people died and many more were injured when the police helicopter crashed on to the roof of the Clutha pub on November 29, 2013.
The Eurocopter EC135 was said to have dropped like a stone through the single-storey building after both engines failed.
Mr Emery and three other SPA board members filed expenses and allowances worth hundreds of pounds to attend funerals in Glasgow and Arran.
The notion that profit was even a consideration suggests poor judgment and leaves an exceptionally bad taste in the mouth
Frontline officers yesterday condemned Mr Emery and colleagues Jeanne Freeman, Douglas Yates and Moi Ali for the claims.
Scottish Police Federation chairman Brian Docherty said: “This news will stun police officers all over Scotland.
“The notion that profit was even a consideration suggests poor judgment and leaves an exceptionally bad taste in the mouth.
“Hundreds of police officers willingly gave up their own time to attend the funerals and memorials for the Clutha victims and did so simply because it was the right thing to do.”
Captain Dave Traill, the civilian pilot, and his passengers, police officers Kirsty Nelis and Tony Collins, lost their lives along with seven people in the pub. The SPA said it made attending the funerals of the pilot and the officers a “priority for their professional time”.
It added that members are non-executives and are remunerated at a day rate for the duties they take on, plus travel expenses incurred.
Mr Emery, who is paid £450 for every day he works for the SPA, said: “I felt it important to ensure that the SPA was represented at each of these occasions, and we all judged that these were professional responsibilities as well as personal commitments.
“We will clearly reflect on these examples in considering our future commitments and will seek further clarity from the Scottish Government on what constitutes corporate and personal activities.”
The SPA was set up to maintain policing, promote principles and improvements and to hold the Chief Constable to account.
