£15,000 Capitol Bill for Swinney's US junket

THE First Minister has been blasted after splashing out more than £15,000 on his “grandstanding” trip to Washington DC to meet Donald Trump.

- David Walker

John Swinney flew out at short notice to the US capital to attend the White House to discuss impending whisky tariffs.

Junket

It is not known yet whether this summit has had any impact at all on trade decisions being made by the American President with international trade also a reserved issue.

The flight to the USA also came just a week before Trump came to the UK for his second state visit, where more discussions were had.

Now, the Scottish Daily Express can reveal most of the bill for this junket with the final costs kept under wraps by the Scottish Government, for the next few months at least.

Officials keep travel and expenses costs for Mr Swinney and his special advisers hidden until they are all published together after a number of months had passed.