Two opticians at a Specsavers practice in Hamilton, Scotland have been suspended by the General Optical Council following a disciplinary hearing into misuse of company funds. Emma Foster and George Kelly were dismissed for gross misconduct after claiming over £35,000 in expenses for premium sporting event tickets and hospitality between March 2020 and September 2024. The General Optical Council found their actions constituted dishonest and inappropriate expense claims, with the committee noting they treated company funds as personal money.

Foster claimed £35,734.77 in expenses whilst Kelly claimed £10,759.39. Specific expenditures included £3,595.20 for Six Nations tickets, £4,770 for British Grand Prix hospitality, £1,350 for a Premier League match, and £3,300 for an NFL game in London. The pair also spent £9,722 on 25 double hotel rooms for one event. Foster received a 12-month suspension from practising whilst Kelly was suspended for three months, with the committee determining that Foster played the more active role in the dishonest scheme.