THE Scotland Office must explain why their credit cards have been used on “wine merchants and swanky restaurants abroad” that “look like a jolly”, the SNP have said.
MSP Kevin Stewart raised questions about the credit-card spending after figures released by the UK Government showed that almost £4000 had been spent on wine in June 2025.
In total that month, £665 was paid to The Wine Society and £3108 to Majestic Wine.
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Elsewhere, Scotland Office cards were used to pay £579 for a meal at Souvlaki GR Kouzina, in New York, and £960 at Shang Hai Hua Yu Fang restaurant, both in April 2025. In December 2024, £893 was spent at Restaurant Majestic Singapore.
And in March last year, £750 was spent on vouchers from R&R Country, an English retailer of riding wear, country wear, saddlery and horse products.
Stewart said: “The public will be raising eyebrows at the fact that while the UK Labour Government does nothing to ease the cost-of-living crisis, they spend thousands on wine and fine dining.
“It’s taken two years to find someone benefitting from a Labour Government, but here we have it – wine merchants and swanky restaurants abroad. In fairness, considering how much damage they have done to Scotland it’s no surprise they have turned to comfort eating and fancy booze.
“The Labour Party should be clear and explain what this spend was for because to the public it looks like a jolly.
“While it seems like the last days of Rome for the Labour Party, the SNP is laser focused on our NHS, the cost-of-living crisis and offering people a chance to escape the chaos of Westminster through a fresh start with independence.”
Responding, the UK Government said that the Scottish Government's international offices had “spent far more – almost £60,000 – on Burns Suppers and concerts in Beijing, Brussels, Paris, Copenhagen and other places in the first two months of 2025 alone”.
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Explaining the spend, they further said: “The Scotland Office plays a vital role in promoting the best interests of Scotland within a strong United Kingdom and effectively representing Scottish interests at the heart of the UK Government.
“To that end, the Scotland Office holds a number of events, and organises a number of ministerial visits. These facilitate discussions between the UK Government and key Scottish, UK and international stakeholders.
“Many of these events include attendees from across Scotland’s political parties.”
The spending on the cards took place while Ian Murray was Scottish secretary. Murray was ousted in September 2025 in favour of Douglas Alexander.
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