The Scottish Government is “determined” to see two new CalMac ferries being built on the Clyde completed, but an ally of Humza Yousaf insisted ministers have not given Ferguson Marine a blank cheque for the vessels.
Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray was speaking after the Scottish Government used a ministerial directive to overrule advice that said continuing to build the second of the two boats at the Port Glasgow yard does not represent value for money.
He insisted that had he not taken the “rare” decision to overrule the advice, the future of the shipyard would have been “in jeopardy” while islanders would have to wait longer for a new vessel.
