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Concern raised in Holyrood over Scottish government land deal Concern raised in Holyrood over Scottish government land deal
(35 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.
Mr McGlynn, chairman and founder of Airlink Group, told BBC Scotland he was "extremely concerned" by the comments.
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".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].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.""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?"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.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 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.""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."
Mr McGlynn, who is currently on a business trip to Canada, told the BBC: "I'm extremely concerned about the unfounded statements that were made in the debating chamber, which all seem to imply, suggest, some kind of impropriety on my part, which I think is deeply troubling."