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| Concern raised in Holyrood over Scottish government land deal | Concern raised in Holyrood over Scottish government land deal |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has raised concern over a controversial government land deal struck with a businessman. | Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has raised concern over a controversial government land deal struck with a businessman. |
| She said taxpayers' cash was used to buy land in Paisley from John McGlynn in 2008 for £840,000, which was later sold back to him for £50,000. | She said taxpayers' cash was used to buy land in Paisley from John McGlynn in 2008 for £840,000, which was later sold back to him for £50,000. |
| Ms Lamont asked First Minster Alex Salmond to justify the transaction when she raised the issue in parliament. | Ms Lamont asked First Minster Alex Salmond to justify the transaction when she raised the issue in parliament. |
| Mr Salmond accused the Labour leader of peddling unfounded smears. | Mr Salmond accused the Labour leader of peddling unfounded smears. |
| Speaking during first minister's questions, he added that ministers had no role in land transactions. | Speaking during first minister's questions, he added that ministers had no role in land transactions. |
| Ms Lamont said the deal was done in connection with the planned Glasgow Airport Link, which was later scrapped by the Scottish government. | Ms Lamont said the deal was done in connection with the planned Glasgow Airport Link, which was later scrapped by the Scottish government. |
| In parliament, the Labour leader described Mr McGlynn as a former Conservative donor who had subsequently "been on something of a political journey". | |
| She said: "Now he supports the Yes campaign [in favour of independence]. | |
| "Since then he's been appointed to the Scottish government national economic forum. And since then, he has bought back the land from the Scottish government for just £50,000 and made a profit of £790,000." | |
| Ms Lamont asked: "Is there some connection here, or has Mr McGlynn just benefitted from the first minister's gross incompetence with public funds?" | |
| Mr Salmond responded: "Ministers are not involved in property transactions with regard to transport projects or anything else. | |
| "If Johann Lamont has any evidence whatsoever that anything untoward has been happening in property transactions, then let her bring it to the chamber or bring it into the public notice. | |
| "If she has no evidence - and she has no evidence whatsoever - then don't make attacks on people in Scotland with no reason whatsoever for making them and come to this chamber and attack people who can't answer back in the chamber." |