Mackay faces questions on ferries fiasco

Former Scottish transport minister Derek Mackay has been asked for his account of the controversial ferry contracts awarded to Ferguson Marine.

Holyrood’s audit committee has asked him to answer questions on approving the deal for two ferries.

The committee will decide its next steps, which leaves the door open to a personal appearance.

The Scottish Government says a key document shows

Mr Mackay signed off on the ferries contract offer in 2015.

But it also reveals Deputy First Minister John Swinney was given sight of the deal as finance secretary at the time.

Nicola Sturgeon has come under fire for the ferries debacle, with the boats five years late.

They are also running 150% over budget, with the bill now expected to total £240 million.

Pressure has been growing for Mr Mackay to appear in Holyrood over the fiasco.

The former minister resigned from Cabinet in 2020 after he sent messages to a 16-year-old boy.

He stepped down as an MSP the following year.

The audit committee has asked Scottish Government and Transport Scotland officials to give evidence.

Invites went to former Ferguson boss Jim McColl, CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs and former chairman Erik Ostergaard.

Committee convener

Richard Leonard said: “Previously we agreed to take evidence from relevant accountable officers who were in post when key decisions were made on vessels 801 and 802.

“At next week’s meeting, we’ll hear from Scottish Government and Transport Scotland officials.

“Yesterday the committee agreed to invite the current chief executive, Kevin

Hobbs, and former chair of Caledonia Maritime Assets Limited Erik Ostergaard, as well as the former director and former chief executive officer of Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited, Jim McColl and Gerry Marshall, to attend future evidence sessions.

“We also agreed to write to the former chief executive of Transport Scotland, David Middleton,

the former director-general for enterprise, environment and innovation, Scottish Government, Graeme Dickson, and the former minister for transport and islands, Derek Mackay, who will be asked to provide written evidence in response to our questions.

“Once we have received and considered this evidence, we will decide our next steps.”

Q&A: Derek Mackay was transport minister at the time of the disastrous ferries deal.