INVERCLYDE MSP Stuart McMillan has hit out at the Tory chair of an inquiry into the ferries fiasco at Ferguson's after being refused permission to asked questions on the 'key issue'.

Edward Mountain, who convenes the rural economy and connectivity committee, rejected SNP man Mr McMillan's efforts to take part in the evidence gathering session as it resumed yesterday.

In a statement released afterwards, Mr McMillan branded Mr Mountain as 'petty' - but didn't divulge any details of what he wanted to ask.

Mr Mountain's decision came a week after Mr McMillan criticised the Conservative member for suggesting that the ferries should be built in South Korea.

The local MSP said: "It is very disappointing that I was not able to raise vital matters of interest to my constituency.

"While I appreciate committees face time pressures, it's hard to escape the conclusion that this was a petty act of revenge after I criticised Mr Mountain's comments – which is clearly an abuse of his power.

"Committee convener's are supposed to perform their role impartially. If Mr Mountain can't deal with mild criticism without lashing out then perhaps the role isn't for him."

Pointing to the fact that the Scottish Government had stepped in to nationalise the Ferguson Marine yard, Mr McMillan said: "The SNP has ensured a future for shipbuilding in Inverclyde, which is essential for the economic wellbeing of my constituents.

"The least voters would expect is that the local MSP for Ferguson's shipyard would have the chance to participate in this key enquiry."

Committee member Richard Lyle pointed out that Mr McMillan had attended the committee for two hours and that 'it's custom and practice in this committee when a member comes along that the member is allowed to ask questions'.

The inquiry heard last week how the disastrous CalMac contract was awarded to the yard despite it not having the space to build both vessels side by side.

MSPs also heard how 'constant' design changes led to a 'stand-off at the OK Corral' between bosses at the Port Glasgow yard and officials at the Scottish Government's ferries and ports operator, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd [CMAL].

Ferguson's GMB union convener Alex Logan told the inquiry that it became a matter of 'who was going to cave in first' and that relations between the two sides became so bad they couldn't sit in the same room together.

The inquiry was also told that the ferries were 'significantly less than half built' and that 95 per cent of the design had yet to be agreed five years after the deal was signed to build them.

The ferries, Glen Sannox and the as yet unnamed 'hull 802, are currently at double their original budget and four years behind their scheduled completion dates.