NICOLA Sturgeon has faced questions over why Ferguson Marine turnaround director Tim Hair was paid £2 million to improve the shipyard's fortunes.

Anas Sarwar slated Sturgeon during First Minister's Questions on Thursday over the appointment saying it was "rushed through without the usual competition".

Following a Freedom of Information request, Sarwar claimed he had discovered Hair was appointed from shortlist of just three people and ended up on £3000 plus expenses per day.

Sarwar said: "The waste of public money by the Scottish Government at Ferguson's does not end with the award of the ferry contract. In August 2019, Tim Hair was appointed as turnaround director at the yard.

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"These emails obtained through Freedom of Information requests show the appointment was rushed through without the usual competition in just a few days.

"He was selected from a shortlist of only three people. When arranging his salary he started by offering a rate of £2000 a day, but ended up on just under £3000 and expenses per day and these emails also show the First Minister was informed about this but did not raise a single objection.

"As people across Scotland tighten their belts, can she explain why she thought it was right to pay Tim Hair over £2m meaning he earnt in just 11 days what the average Scot earns in a year?"

Hair spent two years as turnaround director but has now been replaced by CEO David Tydeman.

Sturgeon and her government have come under intense scrutiny for the major delays and cost overruns with CalMac ferries Glen Sannox and Hull 802 in recent weeks, following a damning Audit Scotland report into the issue.

Sturgeon responded: "These decisions were taken in line with proper processes and procedures. I don’t set the market rate for what people are paid.

"There is a new CEO in place at Fergusons, who has updated this parliament on the revised timescales and costs for the ferries.

"We will continue to update parliament and parliament will continue to hold the company which is now in government ownership to account. We will concentrate on completing the ferries and securing a good future for that yard, which is of course is something that the STUC (Scottish Trade Union Council) has said was of huge significance."

Sarwar replied: "Market rate? £3000 a day? Were you signing Lionel Messi? Who is the First Minister kidding?"

Hair was appointed in 2019 after the Port Glasgow shipyard was wholly taken over by the Scottish Government.