LIBERAL Democrat leader Willie Rennie has spoken of public “disgust” over the huge taxpayer-funded taxi bill run up by a quango chief on a jaunt to America.

Scottish Enterprise boss Lena Wilson has stepped down after it emerged she splashed out on bespoke vehicles and drivers to whisk her from appointment to appointment in New York and San Francisco.

1 Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, center, walks with Gwen Edwards, left, of Golden Seeds and Lena Wilson, right, CEO of Scottish Enterprise Credit: AP:Associated Press

On one day alone, Ms Wilson paid out £1300 of public money - including a tip worth £188 – to a cabbie hired to drive her around the Big Apple.

Gratuities paid to American drivers from public funds in Scotland totalled almost £500.

Ms Wilson was in the US in April with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on what has been called a jobs-boosting exercise.

Sturgeon came under fire too for wasting £40,000 of public money attending ‘Scotland Week'.

Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie, who had already criticised Ms Wilson for taking on a part-time post to top up her £212,000 Scottish Enterprise earnings, attacked the car hire bill.

He said:”Many people will be disgusted that the hierarchy of Scottish Enterprise thought it reasonable to be so profligate with taxpayers money.

“I am not sure the workers at Amazon will be pleased that Lena Wilson was chauffeured around New York in a £1300 a day limo when they have to pay £10 a day for the privilege of turning up to work on a bus from Glasgow.

“I am not asking for senior representatives to travel by bike when on international business but surely a more modest approach would be sensible. There should be a review of such expenses across all government agencies and it should be made public.”

Most read in news Exclusive GROWL PLAY Rangers ace McGregor beefs up security with pricey guard dog after car attacks Exclusive BLAZE TERROR Greenock 'petrol bomb' attack victim has links to meat cleaver maniac 'BETRAYAL' Parent fury as Scots school exams 'could be axed' for second time due to Covid VIRUS SPREAD Map shows where new Scots coronavirus cases are - and Glasgow has the most 'WORRIED' Terror cops rumble gunpoint jailbreak plot at Corfu nick where Scot is being held FIND HER Frantic search sparked for Glasgow girl, 12, who vanished from home 2 days ago NEWS LATEST Rangers ace beefs up security, 'hippy crack' sweeps Scots teen & uni sex ban Exclusive NO LAUGHING MATTER Deadly 'hippy crack' craze sweeps Scotland as teens seek 'lockdown high' REG CLONE Scots dad hit with fine for bus lane rap despite being over 200 miles away Live Blog COVID NEWS Scots uni bonking ban in Covid rules as school exams ‘could be axed’ AGAIN

Ms Wilson’s decision to hire a bespoke Chrysler SUV and driver in New York, she insists, was made necessary because she had to join a security detail for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was also visiting America at the time.

Last night, Scottish Labour’s economy spokesperson Jackie Baillie said:“All public servants have a responsibility to spend taxpayers’ cash wisely, and many will rightly question the need to spend thousands of pounds on being chauffer-driven around New York.”

Documents released under Freedom of Information laws show four of Ms Wilson’s five flights across North America were flown Business Class, two with British Airways and two with United Airlines.

Combined with her colleague’s travel, the flights cost just under £10,000.

Hotels for the pair cost £1851 but it’s the car hire bill which has caused most disquiet.

Some days in San Francisco cost as much as £622 but it’s the New York costs which have raised eyebrows. On April 6, Ms Wilson and her aide spent £1301 on a chauffer-driven car.

Notes from Scottish Enterprise explain:”Please note this figure includes gratuity.”

Scottish Enterprise agreed to provide the original bill from Bermuda Limousine International.

It shows taxpayers money of $243 (around £188) was used to tip Ms Wilson’s driver that day alone – and she was there for three days.

Ms Wilson’s total New York car hire cost £2297. Her total US car hire bill amounted to £3904.

A spokesperson for Scottish Enterprise said: “More than one third of Scotland’s inward investment comes from the US so we pack as many business meetings into trips as we can. “Car costs, which include contractual gratuity charges, covered several members of staff and ensured quick and efficient travel between meetings.”

We asked the Scottish Government if Ms Wilson was justified in claiming the high costs were due to being part of Ms Sturgeon’s entourage.

Failing to answer the question, a spokesperson said:“The First Minister’s visit to America helped to build on existing links between the countries and promote trade, investment and tourism, share best practice across the public and private sector and promote Scottish innovation and entrepreneurship.”

We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun Online? Email us at scottishsundigital@news.co.uk or call 0141 420 5266