Ferries contract decision was not politically motivated, says ex-minister Mackay

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Mackay, who has not been seen in Holyrood since he quit as finance secretary, also said he “can’t imagine” First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was involved personally in the procurement of the ferries. “I don’t think it all rests on me, but other people have advised there are multiple failings here.” The committee probe was prompted by a report from Auditor General Stephen Boyle, who found there to be a lack of documentary evidence for the decision to move ahead with the contract despite the lack of a full builder’s guarantee – an industry standard designed to protect the buyer. The issue was raised during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross saying money paid out for the ferries could have been used elsewhere in the Scottish Government’s budget. Mr Ross said: “These failures leave islanders without lifeline services and they take money away from the frontline spending we need here in Scotland.” Ms Sturgeon said she had made clear her “regret” at the situation, but said the £250 million spend on the ships would be compared to a projected £1.7 billion wiped off the Scottish Government’s budget as a result of inflation.