First Minister John Swinney was "concerned" that Stephen Flynn, the SNP's former Westminster leader, planned to be in the United States for the World Cup on the day of the Aberdeen South by-election, according to correspondence released under Freedom of Information rules.
Flynn formally requested permission to attend the tournament on 26 May, less than three weeks after his election as a Member of the Scottish Parliament. E-mails disclosed and first reported by the Daily Record show he intended to be absent from 18 to 27 June, with arrangements made for a junior Scottish government minister to provide cover during his absence.
Swinney's office responded by approving the trip "on an exceptional basis although he is concerned Mr Flynn does not propose to be here on 18th June." That date marked the Westminster by-election triggered by Flynn's own resignation from his seat, a move required under Scottish law which prohibits simultaneous service in both the Scottish Parliament and Westminster. The SNP lost the contest to Conservative candidate Douglas Lumsden, marking the party's first by-election defeat in Scotland since 1973.
According to the Scottish Government's FOI release, Flynn's visit to the United States was classified as personal rather than an official government trip. The government confirmed it held only the approvals information for the journey and did not retain most of the detailed records requested about it.
Flynn's World Cup attendance
Flynn, now serving as secretary for economy, tourism and transport, missed Scotland's opening World Cup match on 14 June in Boston, where Steve Clarke's side defeated Haiti—the nation's first World Cup fixture in 28 years. He arrived in time for Scotland's second group game against Morocco in Boston on 19 June, which resulted in a 1-0 loss.
The Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine MSP was also present in Miami for Scotland's 3-0 defeat to Brazil on 24 June. Earlier in the summer, Flynn had travelled to Germany for Euro 2024 and met with Swinney in Munich before the opening match against the host nation.
Following the Aberdeen South result, Flynn publicly acknowledged the outcome on 19 June, stating on social media that it was "a tough night in Aberdeen that some will need to reflect on, quite heavily." The Conservative victory, with Douglas Lumsden securing 14,308 votes to the SNP's 8,258, represented the Scottish Conservatives' first by-election gain in Scotland since 1967.
Swinney's own World Cup travel costs
The disclosure of Flynn's absence comes amid scrutiny of Swinney's own World Cup attendance. The First Minister has defended his use of more than £45,000 in public funds for business-class flights for himself and two senior aides to travel to the tournament.
According to the Scottish Government's travel records, Swinney flew from Edinburgh to Boston on 11 June for Scotland's opening match, then travelled to Kentucky on 14 June for trade talks before returning to Edinburgh on 16 June. While Swinney and his two senior officials travelled in business class, Sports Minister Maree Todd and several other officials made the journey on significantly cheaper economy-class flights.
Key facts
- Stephen Flynn requested approval to attend the World Cup from 18 to 27 June, with Swinney approving the trip on an exceptional basis despite expressing concern about Flynn's absence on by-election day.
- The Aberdeen South by-election on 18 June resulted in a Conservative victory—the party's first Scottish by-election win in more than 50 years—with Douglas Lumsden defeating the SNP candidate.
- Flynn attended Scotland's matches against Morocco and Brazil but missed the opening fixture against Haiti, arriving in the United States after the by-election had taken place.
- Swinney's own World Cup travel cost taxpayers more than £45,000 for business-class flights, while other officials travelled on economy fares.
