An investigation has been launched into a “golden goodbye” worth £327,713, handed to the head of Edinburgh Trams when he left in a management shake-up.
Lea Harrison, who departed in January after a merger of the capital’s bus and tram operations, received the payment as part of a total remuneration package of more than £520,000.
Trade union Unite has expressed its anger and Jane Meagher, the city council leader, is now joining calls for an investigation into whether proper procedures were followed.
Mr Harrison stood down as managing director Edinburgh Trams after Sarah Boyd, the Lothian Buses boss, was appointed to head the newly-merged transport body. He quickly took up a new job as managing director of Blackpool Transport Services.
His exit package was revealed in the local authority’s accounts for 2025-26 which are to be scrutinised at a meeting of the full council. They show Harrison received a salary of £187,283, other benefits worth £5,583 and compensation for loss of office of £327,713.
Ms Meagher said she is “deeply concerned and disappointed by the scale of this compensation package” and that she “cannot see any justification for someone already on such a high salary receiving this type of pay-off for leaving their job.”
She confirmed the council had written to the board of the new transport body, Edinburgh Transport Holdings, to investigate whether the correct procedures and approval processes were followed in agreeing the package.
It is stated in the council agenda that: “Council notes with grave concern the sum paid to the former managing director of Edinburgh Trams Ltd as compensation for loss of office and considers this amount to be excessive.”
Unite, the union, has called for an inquiry, says The Times. Sharon Graham, the union’s general secretary, said: “These payments are an abuse of public funds.
“The money would have been far better spent on improving the transport network, and workers’ terms and conditions. It’s nothing short of a scandal and action must be taken.”
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