I'm following events in @ScotParl this afternoon, where Qs are due to be asked of @scotgov about the allegations I reported last week about Prestwick Airport waiving service fees for inbound US military aircraft: scotsman.com/news/prestwick…
@ScotParl @scotgov .@scotlibdems MSP Mike Rumbles asks if @scotgov will confirm the £ of service fees allegedly waived by Prestwick for the US military. @MathesonMichael does not address waiver issue. Says airport run at arms-length & Prestwick alone decide on "specific commercial deals."
@ScotParl @scotgov @scotlibdems @MathesonMichael I'm informed the alleged fee waivers cover several hundred flights, and run into seven figures. Prestwick, remember, is a state-owned asset which has received £38.4 in loans from Scottish ministers.
@ScotParl @scotgov @scotlibdems @MathesonMichael Rumbles says it "isn't good enough" for @scotgov to "hide behind" arms length arrangement / commercial confidentiality & asks when @MathesonMichael was made aware of allegations. Doesn't address Q but says govt "not hiding behind anything" & is meeting EU State Aid regulations
@ScotParl @scotgov @scotlibdems @MathesonMichael .@patrickharvie says the @scotgov's "nothing to see here" attitude is "disturbing" & says it's offensive a Scottish public asset is being used to subsidise "a dangerous far right regime." For the avoidance of doubt, he's referring to the Trump administration.
@ScotParl @scotgov @scotlibdems @MathesonMichael @patrickharvie .@MathesonMichael says the airport isn't subsidising the military, later telling @ColinSmythMSP details of US military deals are in Prestwick accounts (I've checked. There's *one* mention of the Defence Logistics Agency contract in recent years, and no £ attributed to it)
@ScotParl @scotgov @scotlibdems @MathesonMichael @patrickharvie @ColinSmythMSP Debate closes with a disgruntled Rumbles: "He [@MathesonMichael] did not answer any of the five questions. How are we to proceed if the government won't answer members?"
@ScotParl @scotgov @scotlibdems @MathesonMichael @patrickharvie @ColinSmythMSP I'm following this story carefully & chasing a few tips, but if you have info re Prestwick's ties with the US Defence Dept and/or Trump Turnberry - the focus of a live Congressional investigation - contact me in confidence. DMs open. Email martynmcl@protonmail.com
