Scottish Government officials deny allegations of corruption in procurement of two ferries

Scottish Government officials have denied claims of impropriety in the procurement of two ferries from Ferguson Marine.

Transport Scotland’s director of aviation, maritime, freight and canals, Fran Pacitti, and head of the ferries unit, Chris Wilcock, rejected the allegations as they appeared before MSPs.

In August last year, the Port Glasgow yard was saved from administration by Scottish ministers before then finance secretary Derek Mackay announced in December the two ships – 801 and 802 – could be delivered late and at as much as double the original cost.

As part of the procurement process for ferries, CalMac, Caledonian Marine Assets Limited (CMAL) and the Scottish Government entered into an agreement.

The Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow, which was nationalised. Picture: John Devlin

CMAL sourced the yard to build the ship, while the Scottish Government provided loans and CalMac was to operate services when the ships were completed.

At an earlier evidence session, consultant Roy Pedersen, when asked why he thought Ferguson Marine was given the contract for the ship, said: “I do not know the answer but three things spring to mind. One is incompetence, another is vested interest and the final one is corruption.”

When asked about the comments of Mr Pedersen by Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles, Ms Pacitti told the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee: “I strongly resist that description of the process.

“I appreciate your concern around the ambiguity of who the decision-makers are but, to be clear, CMAL is the procuring authority.”

Ms Pacitti added the Scottish Government asked for a “health check” to be undertaken on the tendering process and no problems were found.

She said: “We, in this instance, asked for an independent health check of that procurement process and were satisfied. I strongly refute Mr Pedersen’s description of the procurement process.”

Meanwhile, Mr Wilcock also rejected suggestions from former Ferguson Marine director – and economic adviser to the First Minister – Jim McColl and Mr Pedersen that the ships be scrapped and started again.

He said the need for CalMac to increase its ferry capacity would be a major factor in continuing the construction of the two vessels. In a submission to the inquiry, the ferry operator said it does not have any ships in reserve during the peak summer months to cater for breakdowns.

Mr Wilcock said: “The options of scrapping and starting again would definitely be going back to square one. From our perspective that’s not an option we would countenance given the impact it would have on bringing a new vessel into the fleet.”

Mr Wilcock also told MSPs it would take at least 12 months for the procurement process alone to take place if it were started again.

Ms Pacitti agreed with her colleague, saying the priority was to get the vessels “as quick as we can”.