Youth groups get £1.5m of Abbot Group corrupt payments cash

Some of the £5.6m an Aberdeen-based oil and gas company agreed to hand over after it admitted benefiting from corrupt payments is being given to youth organisations.

Abbot Group reported itself to the Crown Office after doubts were raised about the legality of an overseas deal.

The £5.6m payment to the Civil Recovery Unit represented the profits made during the deal.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said £1.5m was going to six groups.

The money is being invested in the Scottish government's CashBack for Communities Programme to help sporting, cultural and community projects for young people.

The national organisations benefitting are the Scout Association, Girlguiding Scotland, the Boys' Brigade, the Girls' Brigade, Clubs for Young People, and Youth Scotland.

Mr MacAskill said: "Putting ill-gotten gains to good use supporting our young people will always be money well spent, and this further £1.5m funding is a direct investment to provide a positive future of our young people."