Yousaf vows to ‘look at what can be published’ from lawyer’s ferries probe

First Minister Humza Yousaf has pledged to “look at what can be published” from a leading lawyer’s investigation into whether the Ferguson Marine shipyard was given preferential treatment when it won the contract to build two new ferries for CalMac.

Barry Smith KC was appointed in February to carry out an “independent investigation of the procurement process” for the two vessels, the construction of which is years late and massively over budget.

The probe comes in the wake of claims from BBC Scotland that Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow was given sight of a lengthy document setting out the technical requirements for the ferries, and that there was a confidential meeting between the yard and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), the body which owns CalMac ferries.

Insisting he wants to be “upfront and transparent”, Mr Yousaf said he will take advice on what can be published when Mr Smith’s report is completed.

But he added: “There are some areas and issues in relation to Fergusons in particular that are commercially sensitive, that if we were to release completely unredacted some reports it would put Fergusons at a competitive disadvantage.”

The First Minister told MSPs that was “not some sort of excuse”, as he said the Scottish Government takes the issues raised by the BBC “very, very seriously indeed”, adding “that is why there is an investigation under way”.

Speaking as he appeared before the conveners of all Holyrood committees to answer questions on a range of issues, Mr Yousaf said: “I am more than happy to look at what can be published.”

He insisted the Scottish Government will “stand up” and “take scrutiny on these matters”.

His comments came as Richard Leonard, the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee, complained his committee had been “met with ministerial non-co-operation, senior civil servants evading scrutiny” as they probed the procurement process for the two ferries – the costs of which have increased from £97 million to £300 million.

Mr Leonard also complained about “Government bodies omitting evidence or unable to find evidence which then turns up”.

His committee’s report, published in March, found taxpayers and island communities had been “badly let down” by many of those involved in the project.

Mr Leonard went on to complain that the Government’s response to that report had been received “almost a week late” and “says frankly very little”.

He asked the First Minister if that is “the kind of fresh start to transparency we would expect” from his Government.

On whether Mr Smith’s report will be made public, Mr Yousaf told the conveners group: “I am happy to look at the request from Richard Leonard has made, take some advice on it.

“I am absolutely committed to being not just upfront and transparent but making sure Parliament is notified as soon as we can on really important developments in relation to Fergusons.”

Ferguson Marine is currently building two ferries for CalMac, the Glen Sannox and the as-yet-unnamed Hull 802 – which are now scheduled for completion by the end of this year and the end of 2024 respectively.

Last week the Scottish Government issued a rarely used ministerial directive to allow work on Hull 802 to proceed at the shipyard, despite advice that continuing to build the vessel there does not represent value for money.