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, Frances Pacitti, and the 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 Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and the Scottish Government entered into an agreement.
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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, when asked why he thought Ferguson Marine was given the contract for the ship, consultant Roy Pedersen 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 Pedersen’s comments by Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles, 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.”
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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.”
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