Scottish minister Neil Gray faced criticism after sending an employee to address constituents' concerns about the SNP government's decision to scrap plans for a new £2.1 billion Monklands Hospital. Dozens of angry patients and residents gathered to question the party's U-turn on the project, only to be met by Gray's office manager reading a prepared statement.
In the statement, Gray, who was recently moved from the health brief to justice, stated he was on holiday and claimed he had no direct involvement in the decision to abandon the current hospital replacement plans. He asserted that media and political party reporting on Health Secretary Angela Constance's announcement had been misleading. Constance confirmed on multiple occasions that a new Monklands Hospital will be built.
Gray's statement also addressed speculation about his role, asserting that securing manifesto commitments for the new hospital was a significant accomplishment and took credit for ensuring the facility would be built at Wester Moffat. He further claimed to have been recused from the Monklands Hospital project while serving as Health Secretary because it fell within his constituency.
The announcement to scrap the original plans was made by Angela Constance just before parliament closed for the summer. This decision surprised opposition politicians, health officials, North Lanarkshire Council, and local residents. Nine weeks prior, Gray had appeared in a video with First Minister John Swinney at the intended new hospital site, urging support for their party in an election.
Following the SNP's decision, some residents have called for Gray to resign. The decision to send a staff member in his place intensified this sentiment, with one attendee questioning the validity of Gray's claim of being recused due to constituency matters, given his recent move from the health portfolio. Another resident expressed skepticism about the timeline, noting that construction is not scheduled to begin until 2028, leaving a limited window within the government's term.
Scottish Labour politicians, including MPs Kenneth Stevenson, Frank McNally, Pamela Nash, and Katrina Murray, along with health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie, were present and criticized the lack of a ministerial explanation. Independent North Lanarkshire councillors also attended to speak with locals.
The Mail on Sunday previously reported that the local authority and contractors who had invested in preparatory projects for the Wester Moffat site might consider legal action. Additionally, NHS Lanarkshire chief Louise Long was reportedly informed of the decision only an hour before Constance announced it to parliament. The plans to replace the existing Monklands Hospital, which has been deemed unfit for purpose, have been in development for a decade.