Isles folk held to ransom by Government, says McArthur

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has urged Scotland’s transport minister and officials to get back round the table and agree a practical way forward over the replacement of Orkney’s internal ferry fleet.

Mr McArthur raised the matter with Alex Salmond at First Minister’s Questions this afternoon, insisting that the inner and outer isles were being “held to ransom” by the Scottish Government’s “stubbornness” on the issue.

He said: “Orkney Islands Council has accused the Scottish Government of treating people in Orkney ‘with contempt’ in discussions over the replacement of our internal ferry fleet.  It is not hard to see why.

“Everyone accepts that these vessels need replacing, and that this process must get under way soon.  Yet despite numerous working groups and meetings with ministers, the Scottish Government has shown no real interest in reaching a practical and equitable solution.”

He added: “In response to my questions today, Mr Salmond offered a meeting with his Deputy, Nicola Sturgeon.  Such a meeting may be worthwhile, but only if there is a change in the contemptuous attitude shown by the Scottish Government to date.”