Questions asked over ferry contract

Scottish Labour’s Richard Baker has written to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman asking that it looks into the tendering and letting of the Northern Isles Ferry contract to Serco by the Scottish Government.

This follows on from Argyll and and Bute SNP MSP Mike Russell making a similar call for an inquiry into Transport Scotland’s role in overseeing the publicly funded ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon.

Mr Baker said: “The value of the contract for the Northern Isles was many millions more than Gourock to Dunoon, yet Ministers have refused to reveal the process that led to it being awarded to a private company while the CalMac bid – believed to be lower – was rejected.

“I also want to establish whether the Scottish Government received and suppressed legal advice questioning the legitimacy of the tender process and if the prospect of a legal challenge is connected in any way to the departure of a high-ranking CalMac executive. Ministers have so far refused to be open and reveal what went on despite my freedom of information requests.”