Edinburgh Council wasted more than £700 on a trip to France after an official representative failed to attend a commemorative ceremony for Edinburgh footballers who died fighting in WWI.
Aside from during the pandemic it is the first time the capital has not sent a delegate to pay respects to members of McCrae's Battalion since a cairn was erected in their honour in Contalmaison in 2004.
The SNP group accused the Labour-led administration of a "severe failure of duty" and called for an apology to be made and for council cash spent on travel and accommodation to be paid back in full.
An annual pilgrimage to the northern French village in the Somme Battlefield usually sees a representative of the Lord Provost make the journey from Edinburgh to lay a wreath for McCrae's Battalion - the name given to the 15th and 16th Battalions of the Royal Scots.
The unit of soldiers who fought in the First World War included footballers from Hearts and Hibs, as well players from Fife teams and supporters and ticket-holders.
It is understood that Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron was due to attend the ceremony on July 1.
However, a council report said the travel arrangements made "no longer suited the individual concerned" close to the day of departure.
"This was reported to be due mainly to the meeting of Full Council taking place on Thursday 30 June," it stated.
The report also confirmed £784 was spent on booking the visit to Contalmaison despite no one attending.
A wreath was still laid at the cairn on the city's behalf, according to the city council.
Councillor Norman Work, SNP, said at a full council meeting on Thursday (September 22): "For decades the council has sent a representative to Contalmaison to honour the sacrifices those of the McCraes Battalion.
"This year though, despite accommodation and travel being booked at the cost to the council, the Labour party failed to go.
"This was a severe failure of duty of this administration and an insult to the memory of the footballers and many others who gave their lives."
Cllr Work asked the council leader write to the McCraes Battalion Trust, which organises the annual ceremony, to "apologise for his failure to make sure Edinburgh was properly represented".
He added: "Will Labour repay the public purse for the money wasted on booking travel and accommodation which was never used?"
Council leader Cammy Day said : "It's disappointing we didn't have a representative from the Lord Provost at Contalmaison this year.
"I am happy to write to the mayor of Contalmaison."
But fellow SNP member Kate Campbell raised the issue again later in the meeting, accusing Councillor Day of not offering a full response.
"Given that there were funds paid from the public purse for travel which was not used, will the Labour group repay the public purse?," she said.
Mr Day replied saying funds "weren't paid from the Labour group", adding: "I'm happy to take this up with the Lord Provost's representative that couldn't make Contalmaison and report back."
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