Steven Bonnar

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I regret being drawn into a dispute with a neighbour and reacting hastily to comments made

In May 2020, Police Scotland made further inquiries into the incident between Bonnar and his neighbour. On 14 May, they were both charged in connection with a street disturbance. A statement from Police Scotland stated it would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. [19]

Expenses

Highest expenses in 2021/22

In October 2023, Bonnar faced criticism after it was revealed that the MP had the highest parliamentary expenses in 2021/22. [20] [21] Bonnar's expenses claims amounted to £72,510.15. [20] Claims which faced particular scrutiny included Bonnar's numerous travel expenses and a £20 staff parking fee for Spa in the City – a central Glasgow spa and beauty salon. [20] An SNP spokesperson later claimed that the parking fee was for staff members attending a CyberScotland Week security event in Glasgow. [20]

Memorial wreath

In December 2023, Bonnar sparked controversy after charging the taxpayer £45 for a memorial wreath. [22] The claim was reportedly made on 9 June 2023, and registered as an office cost for the purchase of equipment. [22] An SNP spokesperson later said that the claim was made in error and that Bonnar would repay it 'at the earliest opportunity'. [22]

COVID-19 lockdown breach

In January 2023, email communications leaked to the Sunday Mail showed that on 22 November 2020, Bonnar flew to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to attend a wedding reception. [23] The journey contravened Scottish and Northern Irish restrictions, introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which banned non-essential travel. [23] Bonnar had emailed SNP chief whip, Patrick Grady, writing: "Other than my office, my nearest and dearest and you in your role as chief whip, nobody else is aware of my trip." [23] At the time, Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, had said that there should be "no non-essential travel between Scotland and other parts of the UK, or Ireland." [23] When faced with allegations of a lockdown breach, Bonnar defended his actions stating that "I think weddings were deemed 'essential travel'." [23]

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References

  1. ↑ Brunskill, Ian (2020). The Times guide to the House of Commons 2019 : the definitive record of Britain's historic 2019 General Election. Glasgow: HarperCollins. ISBN   978-0-00-839258-1.
  2. ↑ "SNP announces frontbench reshuffle at Westminster". BBC News. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  3. ↑ Whitaker, Andrew (10 July 2015). "SNP wins North Lanarkshire by-election". The Scotsman. National World. Retrieved 13 December 2019.[ dead link ]
  4. ↑ "2015 By Election Thorniewood".[ dead link ]
  5. ↑ "2017 Council Elections".[ dead link ]
  6. 1 2 3 Blackstock, Gordon (18 April 2020). "SNP's Steven Bonnar in Celtic flag street bust-up". Daily Record. Reach Scotland. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  7. ↑ Tonner, Judith (13 December 2019). "Election results: Coatbridge won by SNP's Steven Bonnar while Neil Gray retains Airdrie". Daily Record. Reach Scotland.
  8. ↑ "General Election 2019: Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  9. ↑ Tonner, Judith (13 December 2019). "Election results: Coatbridge won by SNP's Steven Bonnar while Neil Gray retains Airdrie". Daily Record. Reach Scotland.
  10. ↑ "SNP MP Steven Bonnar crosses fingers during swearing in ceremony". The Scotsman. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  11. ↑ Tonner, Judith (27 February 2020). "May by-election after Coatbridge's new MP stands down from council". Daily Record. Reach Scotland. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  12. ↑ "Council by-election previews: 04 March 2021". Britain Elects. Retrieved 6 March 2021.[ dead link ]
  13. ↑ Jarvis, Jacob (19 April 2020). "SNP MP Steven Bonnar apologises after row over football flag in his window". Evening Standard. ESI Media.
  14. ↑ Cochrane, Angus (19 April 2020). "SNP MP Steven Bonnar apologises after row with neighbour over Celtic flag". The National. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  15. ↑ "SNP MP Steven Bonnar apologises over altercation with neighbour". Herald Scotland. Newsquest Media Group. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  16. ↑ James, Liam (19 April 2020). "SNP MP apologises after threatening to fight neighbour 'any f****** time' in row over Celtic flag". The Independent. ESI Media. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022.
  17. ↑ "Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: Health Secretary's statement 19 April 2020". Scottish Government. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  18. ↑ "MP Steven Bonnar apologises over Celtic flag argument with neighbour". BBC News. 19 April 2020.
  19. ↑ "SNP MP Steven Bonnar charged over alleged street disturbance". BBC News. 14 May 2020.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Quinn, Andrew (17 October 2023). "Two SNP MPs had highest parliamentary expenses in Westminster in 2021/22". Daily Record. Reach Scotland. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  21. ↑ Walker, David (17 October 2023). "SNP's Steven Bonnar and Owen Thompson top list of most expensive MPs with eye-watering £70,000 expenses claims". Scottish Daily Express. Reach Scotland. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  22. 1 2 3 Dickie, Douglas (23 December 2023). "Anger as 'crass' SNP MP expenses wreath for memorial service in constituency". Scottish Daily Express. Reach Scotland. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Rodger, Hannah (29 January 2023). "SNP chief's right-hand man denies any wrongdoing as details of lockdown wedding trip emerge". Daily Record. Reach Scotland. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
Steven Bonnar
Official portrait of Steven Bonnar MP crop 2.jpg
Official portrait, 2019
SNP Spokesperson for Environment, Farming, Agriculture and Rural Affairs in the House of Commons
In office
4 September 2023 –5 July 2024
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
2019–2024 		Constituency abolished
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