Sturgeon ‘will not apologise’ for decisions in Ferguson ferries scandal
Nicola Sturgeon has said she will not apologise for decisions made around the Ferguson marine ferries which have faced significant delays and cost overruns.
The First Minister also declined the invitation to brand former yard owner, jimmc coll, a liar after the tycoon said she had lied on the issue of the ferries, instead saying his view was “wrong”.
Construction of the Glen Sannox and hull 802 is five years late and at least £150 million over budget.
During First Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross asked whether the First Minister understood how angry the public was when she uses “weasel words like regrettable” instead of apologising, as a quarter of a billion of taxpayers’money has been spent“and not a single ferry built”.
The scottish government has faced intense political pressure to reveal why ministers decided to award the yard the contract for two ferries in 2015 despite warnings from ferry infrastructure body CM AL.
In response to Mr Ross’s question, Ms Sturgeon said she understood how angry the public was, but claimed that fury was in fact directed towards the UK Government.
Ms Sturgeon said it was Mr Ross who would feel “the full force of that[ anger ]” in the local council elections.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I've made very clear that the delays and the cost overruns are deeply regrettable and I do believe when things don’t go right in government, it is important leaders says so. If only other government followed the same principle, perhaps things might be a bit different.
"I will not–and i’m afraid i will not be moved from this – apologise for decisions that allowed the last commercial shipbuilder on the Clyde to continue in business, that allows 400 workers to be employed there today earning a way and supporting their families, and I will not apologise for an investment in new ferries because the Government is focused on ensuring these ferries are completed as part of our overall investment in Scotland’s ferry network.”
Speaking to journalists at a campaign stop near Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said she stood by her words on the BBC on the number of jobs saved at the yard, which mrmc coll had said were a lie.
She added: “If Jim Mccoll’s argument is that he would have continued to invest his money in a yard that had no major contracts and therefore wouldn't have made them any money, he’s obviously changed a lot since the Jim Mccoll I knew. I’m not sure it is tenable or credible to argue that a yard with no major contracts would have continued to operate indefinitely.”
The First Minister also declined to call the tycoon a liar, but stated he was “wrong”.
The sn pleader also highlighted inconsistencies in the former ship yard’ s own interview, claiming Ferguson Marine had not raised the issue around a full builder’s guarantee until after being named a preferred bidder.
Ms Sturgeon said: “He bid for a contract where the contract was clear and he didn’t in the bid, or his company didn’ t in the bid, say ‘we’re bidding, but only on the basis that this isn’t being given ’. that only emerged after .”