Scotland’s most senior civil servant has been asked to investigate an £8.4m pledge for Glasgow amid claims it was timed to sway voters.
The investment deal for the key battleground city was revealed by the Scottish Government just days before the council election on Thursday.
Ross Thomson, the Tory MSP, is demanding a probe into the timing of the announcement, which he says looks like a “blatant attempt” to curry favour with the electorate.
Glasgow City Council has been held by Labour since 1980, but it is widely tipped to fall to the SNP in what would be the iconic scalp of the local election.
Mr Thomson, who raised the issue in Holyrood on Wednesday, said: “This looks like a blatant attempt to sway voters in an area that is being targeted by the SNP.
“I have written to the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government asking for an explanation as to how this could be announced just 48 hours before voters go to the polls.
“People need to have absolute confidence that public money is not being used for party political ends.”
The cash pledge was made by housing minister Kevin Stewart on Tuesday and promises £8.4m of funding for the refurbishment of vacant office space in central Glasgow.
Civil servants in the SNP government must take “particular care” over announcements, which could have an impact on local councils, according to official guidance.
It recommends that some publications should be put back until after the election.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “A letter has been received by the Permanent Secretary and a response will issue in due course.”
Frank McAveety, the leader of Glasgow Labour, said: “This looks like an attempt to sway voters by a desperate SNP administration.
“There must be a full and frank investigation into how this announcement came about – but it seems voters will get no answers before they head to the polls today.
“The public has a right to know who knew what and when, as well as who authorised the release of this information.”
