Proud heritage betrayed

AS A retired and proud Clydeside shipbuilder of more than 50 years’ experience from shop floor to boardroom, who has been involved in many large projects both in the UK and abroad, I feel that our heritage and reputation has been let down.

In following the events from Jim McColl’s well-meaning takeover, my heart goes out to the workforce at Ferguson shipyard who have been badly let down by the intervention of the Scottish Government.

Following the BBC’s Disclosure programme and coverage in the Daily Mail, it is apparent that the craving for political gain by the SNP has undermined the shipbuilding heritage built up over hundreds of years in recognising Clydebuilt as synonymous with world-class performance.

Having been involved in many ship bid processes, I have never seen such an underhand and unprofessional chain of events.

From listening to the GMB conveners, it was quite clear that many years of shipbuilding experience and expertise were not listened to by the management team brought in by Derek Mackay. aNDREw S. HaMILTON MBE,

Bothwell, Lanarkshire. THE FERRIES fiasco rumbles on. Although neither ship has experienced choppy waters, the SNP appears to be heading into a heavy swell which may produce enough white water to engulf the First Minister and her motley crew.

After the BBC revelations about what can at best be described as an ‘unconventional’ and biased procurement process, it looks as though the only thing to set sail will be a lifeboat – the good ship Denial.

GRaHaM wyLLIE, airdrie, Lanarkshire.