MSPs' beer a 'reward' for alcohol pricing vote
MSPs who blocked plans for minimum pricing for alcohol have been sent free beer by a major brewer.
- By David Clegg, political reporter
- Published in the Courier : 17.12.10
- Published online : 17.12.10 @ 05.27pm
SAB Miller paid for a report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research, which rejected the case for the SNP-backed move.
Labour shadow health secretary Jackie Baillie subsequently said the report was "a severe blow" to the plans.
The drinks firm has sent crates of its Peroni lager to Ms Baillie and other MSPs who helped to block the minimum pricing proposal.
Labour's justice spokesman Richard Baker got a crate of beer, along with Tories Mary Scanlon and Murdo Fraser, who shared the health brief.
The Labour MSPs moved quickly to give the booze away by donating it to Whitefoord House, a home for ex-servicemen across the street from parliament.
"I was pleased to receive a case of beer from Peroni, but decided to donate it to the residents at Whitefoord House," said Ms Baillie.
"At Christmas it is particularly important that we remember our veterans and serving men and women wherever they are."
North-East Scotland MSP Richard Baker said, "Much as I enjoy the occasional tipple these guys deserve it much more than me. I hope that they have a happy Christmas and a good New Year."
'Labour's reward'
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said he would give his beer to charity and Mary Scanlon said, "The beer arrived yesterday and is still in the box intact.
"I had hoped to take it up to Inverness the next time I have my car here."
He added, "In the meantime, I have contacted a soldiers' charity here in Edinburgh to ask if they will accept the two dozen Peroni beers."
However, Michael Matheson of the SNP said the beer gift was a pay-off from grateful brewers.
"SAB Miller lobbied MSPs extensively to block minimum pricing and this is clearly Labour's reward for a job well done," he said.
"I'm pleased to see Labour are donating the beer, but a far better gesture would be to commit to supporting minimum pricing instead of playing party political games.
"They have consistently been more concerned with the profits of brewers and supermarkets than the health and safety of Scotland."
A Labour spokesman said, "Michael Matheson would probably object if Labour offered pensioners another lump of coal for the fire.
"Would he prefer it if we had donated the beer to the SNP Christmas party?"
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user warrenski.
05.41pm - 17.12.2010 Steve Scott - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Three Cheers to the Brewers, and to the MSP's who gave their freebies to the more deserving!
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