Neil Gray has apologised for using a ministerial car to watch Aberdeen play in cup ties at Hampden.

The Health Secretary delivered a ministerial statement in Holyrood on Thursday following significant backlash to the revelations.

Mr Gray, an Aberdeen fan, was chauffeured in a taxpayer funded ministerial car to attend four Dons games in the last year.

A family member accompanied him on each occasion, he told MSPs.

He said: “It is a matter of regret to me, by attending four Aberdeen games that I have given the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister.”

He added: “When it comes to domestic football I should have ensured I went to see teams other than Aberdeen.

“It was not planned that way but I should not have allowed that situation to develop.

“I should have ensured that I attended a wider range of games and not just Aberdeen and I apologise for my error.”

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The matches were recorded as official government meetings, meaning Mr Gray has not broken any rules.

However, minutes of the meetings have not been published, with opposition politicians demanding civil servant notes are shared with the public.

Ministers are allowed to use publicly-funded transport as part of their job, and any use of government cars must be approved by the civil service in advance.

The first game on November 4 2023 took place while he was still Humza Yousaf’s Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy.

He watched Aberdeen beat Hibs 1-0 at Hampden in the semi finals of the League Cup.

He registered the ministerial engagement as discussing the "social impact investment in sport".

He was back at Hampden on December 17 where he watched Aberdeen's final clash against Rangers, where his team lost 1-0.

During this meeting, Mr Gray said he discussed the “use of pyrotechnics” with football officials.

Weeks after his appointment as Health Secretary, following the resignation of Michael Matheson, he returned to Hampden on April 20 to watch Aberdeen take on Celtic in the semi finals of the Scottish Cup.

On May 15, Mr Gray then attended a home match against Livingston at Pittodrie, Aberdeen, as a guest of the Aberdeen Community Trust.

He said it was part of engagements to discuss mental health awareness week.

The Health Secretary, whose brief also covers sport, also said he attended Scotland versus Norway at Hampden in November 2023, the World Athletics in Glasgow in March 2023 and the Open Golf Championship in Troon.

Mr Gray admitted: “I was joined at five football games, including one Scotland game, by a family member or guest. They travelled with me, but this did not come at any additional cost to the taxpayer.”

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Rules allow ministers to take a guest with them on certain visits, including football games.

Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachel Hamilton said: “Neil Gray used government limos to watch his favourite team. These bills were all billed to the taxpayer.

“But Neil Gray seems to be saying he wasn’t wrong to charge the taxpayer. He was just wrong only to go to Aberdeen games.

“He has today apologised for giving the impression of acting as more of a fan and less of a minister. He hasn’t just given this impression. That’s exactly what he did.”

She added: “This is pathetic. These excuses are an embarrassment. He is treating the public as fools. This scandal demands a ministerial code investigation because it looks like Neil Gray has misused taxpayers’ money for his own benefit.

“Neil Gray took family and guests to these games in limos paid for by the taxpayer. Does that no confirm beyond all doubt that these meetings were not government business but a jolly to watch the football? Taxpayers have been duped and the must be funded in full.”

Mr Gray responded: “These were legitimate uses of ministerial resources.” He added it was a matter for First Minister John Swinney whether it is referred to the ministerial code.

The First Minister was quizzed by journalists following the statement.

He said Mr Gray had "reflected and apologised" after appearing to be attending the games as a fan.

But he added: "For me, the matter is closed."

Scottish Labour’s sports spokesman Neil Bibby said: “Ministers and shadow ministers have always attended sport events to support our national teams and to meet with governing bodies. The attendance of ministers where appropriate should be supported by the government.

“That is not in question. The key question is whether the correct protocols and rules were followed. Engagements to discuss Scottish Government business should be attended by a civil servant and be fully minuted.  

“Neil Gray has apologised for his error and said he is happy to provide further information.

“The Aberdeen versus Livingston match at Pittodrie has raised particular eyebrows.”

He urged Mr Gray to publish details of exactly what was discussed and who he met on every occasion.