The Scottish Greens have been accused of offering meetings with senior politicians in a ‘cash for access’ scheme worth hundreds of pounds.

An investigation by the Sunday Mail reports the party offered lobbyists “exclusive” access to politicians and party members through the purchasing of a “sponsored lunch” for the price of £700 during its April 4 conference this year.

The brochure said: "Get an exclusive table to talk to ministers, MSPs and members during lunch and advertisement in the conference programme.”

The offer is on the table again for the party’s upcoming conference next month.

An “exhibitor reception” was also offered at October’s conference in 2023 which allowed lobbyists to purchase an “invitation only opportunity to talk to MSPs, councillors and observers”.

(Image: NQ) Mr Harvie and Ms Slater were both Scottish Government ministers at the time as part of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Greens.

A spokesman for the Scottish Greens has strongly denied any wrongdoing and said the brochure was in line with all required rules and regulations and said the party will “host charities, campaign groups and other stakeholders” at conference like “all political parties”.

However, concerns have been raised the offer could breach the Scottish Parliament’s lobbying rules, with the 2016 Act stating members can participate in events which others are charged a fee to attend.

But it added: “There could be some concern that events falling into this category could be a means of ‘buying’ access to MSPs.

“It is important that there should be no grounds for such a perception.”

Will Dinan, a senior lecturer in communications at the University of Stirling, and a lobbying expert, said it could be a “bad look for the Greens”.

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He told the Sunday Mail: “It also appears to breach the rules in place that governs access to ministers.

“There is a clear perception of privileged access created by how this sponsorship is pitched.

“The Greens appear to have travelled some distance from when they were champions of probity when in opposition in Holyrood.”

SNP MSP Fergus Ewing – who was a fierce critic of the Greens during the powersharing agreement with the Scottish Greens - described co-leader Patrick Harvie as “Harvie the Hypocrite” and said it was a “blatant breach” of the lobbying rules MSPs must follow.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Greens said: “Like all political parties the Scottish Greens will host charities, campaign groups and other stakeholders at our conference with sponsorship options where appropriate and in line with rules and regulations.”