A WARNING of a potential further delay in delivering the Ferguson's ferries highlights the Scottish Government's 'appalling' performance throughout the fiasco, an MSP has declared.

Jamie Greene seized on an official progress update report to Holyrood which flagged up ongoing serious concerns about the way the shipyard operates — branding it 'extremely disappointing'.

The Scottish Conservative parliamentarian hit out after £791,000-a-year yard turnaround boss Tim Hair declared that the delivery window for MV Glen Sannox could be put at risk.

Mr Hair — more than two years after taking the helm — said in his latest update last month that issues have now been identified about 'data systems' which pose a 'significant challenge'.

West Scotland MSP Mr Greene said: "Reports that the two replacement ferries could be delayed even further are extremely disappointing and reflects the SNP government's appalling handling of this situation.

"Our island communities have already had their lives disrupted enough with constant delays and cancellations from a fleet well beyond its lifespan.

"Let's not forget these ferries should have been delivered in 2018 — now their costs have more than doubled, with delivery expected in 2023."

The area's SNP MSP Stuart McMillan — who has called for Mr Hair to go — says it is 'important' that Glen Sannox and Hull 802 are delivered within the revised timeframes of July-September next year and April-July 2023 respectively.

Mr McMillan said: "The update to the Net Zero and Transport Committee is clear in the delivery schedule that the yard is working to and that there has been no further slippage. I welcome this and I'm sure it will be welcomed by all stakeholders.

"The update also highlights challenges and opportunities the yard still faces including the linking in of the various systems the yard uses.

"The committee will quite rightly scrutinise any progress at the yard and it's important that the yard delivers both the Glen Sannox and Hull 802 in the timeframes presented."

Mr Hair told the committee that work to integrate systems will be 'critical' to the success of the ferries project, saying it will be a 'significant challenge'.

He said: "If these improvements are not successfully implemented as planned this will present a risk to the planned delivery window for 801 [Glen Sannox].

Mr Hair added: "Much of the equipment for the ferries has been installed since 2016 and may have deteriorated since then.

"Although surveys, remediation and replacement have taken place under government ownership there is an unquantifiable risk that equipment problems may emerge during commissioning."

The yard chief has reassured MSPs that the board, management and workforce are 'working hard to eliminate these risks and to ensure successful delivery of the vessels'.

But MSP Mr Greene said: "Given the SNP government's botched track record on this issue, that [2022/23] remains an optimistic timeframe."