John Swinney today defended the “corrupt” contract he approved for Ferguson Marine which has cost Scottish taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds.
At First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay raised the news this week that Scottish shipyards missed out on contracts to build seven CalMac ferries, which were instead awarded to Polish manufacturers.
The Scottish Conservative leader said Ferguson Marine were still dealing with the fallout of John Swinney’s decisions from a decade ago.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Scottish shipyards should be able to build ferries for Scotland.
“For decades, before the SNP had anything to do with it, Ferguson built ferries on budget and on time. Now, under the control of John Swinney’s government, they’re unable to compete for work.
“Two ferries with a £97 million price tag will cost taxpayers more than £400 million and enter service at least seven years late.
“The First Minister’s fingerprints are all over this scandal from the outset.
“This all started when John Swinney signed off a process that was not just flawed but corrupt in numerous ways, including an inexplicable lack of any financial safeguards for taxpayers.
“His dodgy deal has let down islanders, taxpayers and shipyard workers who now face an uncertain future.
“John Swinney’s actions a decade ago are causing Scottish shipyards to lose contracts to eastern Europe today.
“How can anyone trust John Swinney to repair the damage at Fergusons when he caused it in the first place?”