NICOLA Sturgeon and Scottish Government officials spent almost £150,000 of taxpayers’ cash during a trip to COP27 in Egypt last year, figures reveal.
The climate summit bill included almost £45,000 for 25 rooms at the five-star Parrotel Beach Resort — as well as claims for pizza, sushi, ice cream, Pringles and phones.
The ex-First Minister insisted at the time that it was “really important” to attend the conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, despite critics claiming she’d no reason to be there.
Scottish Tory Net Zero and energy spokesman Douglas Lumsden last night blasted the huge spend.
He said: “This is an astonishing sum for the Scottish Government to have shelled out so that Nicola Sturgeon and other SNP figures could grandstand at COP27.
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“People will be appalled that at the height of a cost of living crisis and savage SNP cuts to public services, no expense was spared sending the former First Minister and her entourage to Sharm El-Sheikh.”
He added: “It speaks volumes about the nationalists’ priorities that she chose to focus on promoting herself on the global stage, rather than deal with the real issues facing ordinary Scots.”
A 24-page list of the expenses racked up during the trip emerged under freedom of information laws.
Accommodation for Ms Sturgeon and other officials on the Sinai Peninsula cost £44,665.
The luxurious resort offers guests seafront access, four on-site restaurants, three swimming pools and three tennis courts.
Return flights for Ms Sturgeon to attend the eco event for five days came to just over £1,553.
The largest amount spent was £75,705 for officials to rent office space and a pavilion.
Taxpayers also footed delegates’ £3,000 food bill.
It included a Boots meal deal, a Burger King Whopper and watermelon fingers from Marks and Spencer.
And nearly £1,000 was spent on 17 mobile phones and Sim cards.
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A Scottish Government spokesman said it was necessary for officials to attend in person.
He said: “A Scottish presence at COP27 was vital in order to continue the legacy of COP26 in Glasgow, not least in pushing for greater action to support global south countries experiencing loss and damage as a result of climate change.
“Ministers and officials undertook a significant programme of engagement with national and regional governments, climate experts and campaigners.
“COP is the single most important annual event for agreeing action on the climate crisis, and this level of engagement and cooperation would not have been possible without attending in person.”
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