Scottish Police Authority boss cashed in on the Clutha helicopter disaster

They joined those grieving for victims of the Clutha tragedy…and billed the taxpayer for their time.

Police watchdogs have been blasted for charging the taxpayer to attend the funerals of victims of the Clutha helicopter tragedy.

The Sunday Post can reveal Vic Emery, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority, who banked £90,000 last year for the part-time role, clawed back money for going to funerals of three of the 10 crash victims.

Three other board members also claimed part of their daily allowance and mileage costs to attend Clutha funerals or memorial services.

Astonishingly, the watchdog, which is charged with overseeing the country’s single force, said the claims were justified because they were part of

its staff’s “corporate responsibilities and commitments”.

The revelations come a year after we revealed SPA board members were paid expenses for attending meetings without having to prove they were actually there or provide receipts.

Frontline police officers last night slammed the SPA board.

Brian Docherty, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “This news will stun police officers all over Scotland.

“The notion that profit was even a consideration suggests poor judgement 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.”

A dossier obtained by this newspaper showed that Mr Emery, who is paid £450 for every day he works for the SPA, made three expense claims in relation to Clutha funerals.

On December 7, 2013 he made a claim for 0.3 days at £135, as well as £2.25 mileage, for attending the funeral of helicopter pilot Captain David Traill at Glasgow University.

Three days later he claimed 1.2 days at £540 and £32.40 mileage for attending the funeral of PC Tony Collins on the Isle of Arran.

Then, on December 12, he put in a claim which stated he attended the funeral of PC Kirsty Nelis at Glasgow Cathedral before heading to his office for meetings and later a dinner with the Chief Constable Stephen House.

Mr Emery’s file also shows he sometimes claimed his £450 day rate for more than the 15 days a month that he was expected to work after the creation of the SPA.

Asked who approved these extra payments, the SPA said “these requirements have been discussed with Scottish Government officials as part of the chairman’s regular monthly meetings”.

From April, any extra days worked will need prior approval.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “This does not look good. We all make mistakes. What matters is putting it right.

“I’m sure police board members will regret this and it is good the chairman has seen fit to donate his fee to the Clutha trust.”

A further breakdown of the SPA expenses shows board member Jeanne Freeman also made a partial day rate claim for attending a Clutha funeral on December 11.

Meanwhile other board members Douglas Yates and Moi Ali claimed partial day rates for attending Clutha memorial services in Glasgow.

Other claims show that SNP Stirling councillor and board member Graham Houston claimed £150 for attending a Holocaust Memorial Day in his home city last January.

Labour Glasgow Councillor Paul Rooney also claimed £60 for a meeting with a newspaper journalist in October, 2013.

Another board member, Brian Barbour, used his initiative to try and save the taxpayer money by buying a senior rail card for his travel.

The SPA accounts show its board collectively banked £539,000 in wages in 2013/14, with board members picking up an average of £41,000.

Mr Emery’s claims relating to the Clutha funerals were all submitted in March last year and we approached the SPA for comment on Friday morning.

On Friday afternoon a spokesman responded to confirm that as a personal gesture, Mr Emery would be donating the expenses to the Clutha Trust, which helps disadvantaged youngsters.

Our reporter asked if this meant both his travel expenses and day rate. Yesterday the SPA confirmed it was both.

A spokeswoman for the police watchdog said: “A great many people from within policing attended these sombre but very important and public events.

“Senior police officers made attending these events a priority for their professional time. The SPA also shared that approach.

“The key difference is that SPA members are non-executives and are remunerated at a day rate for the duties they take on, plus travel expenses incurred.

“It is SPA’s view that all of the activities listed in your enquiry are appropriate activities for non-executive board members to have undertaken as corporate responsibilities and commitments, and to have included within the range of duties for which they are reimbursed.”

Related story: Report slams police board expenses