THE company which hopes to take control of CalMac’s Clyde ferry routes is holding crunch talks with Inverclyde politicians today – but refused to speak to the Tele before or after the meeting.

Serco – who are bidding against CalMac for the routes – insist the session arranged by Greenock & Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil must be private.

But Mr McNeil criticised them over the snub.

He said: “Serco should engage with the community, and the Telegraph is vital for getting news to people.

“This is a very important story about the future of the CalMac HQ in Gourock and the 170 people who work there, as well as the future of ferry routes and the jobs of crews and of local companies who do work for CalMac.

“Serco need to win over this community if they have ambitions to be involved with it.

“Refusing to engage with the Telegraph is disappointing and short-sighted.”

A spokeswoman for Serco said they were not willing to be interviewed by a Tele reporter.

She said they would issue a statement after the meeting, and insisted the company had already made it clear they would keep the Gourock HQ.

Jonathan Riley, Serco’s bid director for the Clyde Hebridean ferry service, said in November they expect that ‘the majority’ of staff who work at the Gourock office would transfer to them if they win the contract, and the company was committed to ‘continuing to carry out the key support activities from there’.

But Mr McNeil said no long term assurances have been given to the workforce if Serco win the contract.

Mr McNeil’s alarm over the CalMac base was sparked when it was reported that Serco would not have a head office if they win the tender. The MSP has pointed out that a survey by the respected Fraser of Allander Institute said CalMac supports the employment of a total of 262 local residents, once the effect of wage spending by its employees is taken into account.

He said: “Abandoning CalMac’s Gourock HQ could have a major impact on jobs and on Inverclyde’s economy. It could also affect orders given to Greenock’s Garvel Clyde drydock for regular repair and maintenance work on CalMac boats.”

The Scottish Government say that, under European Union (EU) law, the ferry routes must be put out to tender, but Mr McNeil said this has been disputed by an EU procurement law expert.

The result of the tender will not be known until after May’s Scottish Parliament elections.

CalMac’s chief executive, Martin Dorchester, said last month they are confident that, as an internationally recognised, multi award-winning ferry operator, they will be the clear winner of the tender contest.

Today’s meeting is also due to be attended by Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan and Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe.