Forbes still has confidence in Ferguson Marine leadership despite cost increase

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has said she still has faith in the leadership of Ferguson Marine despite new cost increases for the Glen Rosa.

The beleaguered ferry is due to be handed over in the fourth quarter of this year, meaning it could be 2027 before it is in service and carrying passengers between Arran and the mainland alongside its sister vessel the Glen Sannox.

And on Friday it was announced that a further £7 million would be required to complete the vessel, taking the total cost to £197.5 million, including a £5.5 million contingency.

The initial cost for the boats was supposed to be £97 million, with delivery due to be in 2018.

Speaking in Holyrood on Tuesday, Kate Forbes said the increased costs and further delays were “extremely disappointing”.

Asked by Tory MSP – and convener of Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee – Edward Mountain if she maintained confidence in the revamped leadership of the Government-owned yard, Ms Forbes said: “In terms of both the board and the chief executive, I do have great confidence in them.”

The new boss was appointed last year and told the committee he was comfortable with revised costing and timings for the delivery of the Glen Rosa – both of which have suffered further changes.

Ms Forbes said Graeme Thomson was “newly in the door”, having only been in the post for 13 days.

“We have also very recently appointed a new chair and both of them between them probably have more experience of ship building than any of their predecessors,” the Deputy First Minister said.

“So I do have confidence and that doesn’t take away in any way from how regrettable this latest change is.”

Mr Mountain then pushed instead for the Deputy First Minister to resign from her role.

“If she has confidence in the board whilst the rest of Scotland doesn’t, then surely she should resign from overseeing Ferguson Marine, because she has been ignored and her position has been totally undermined,” the Tory MSP said.

Ms Forbes – who announced last year she would be leaving Holyrood at the next election – said: “The member will recall that there is only about two months left before I will no longer be in this place.”