THE chairman of Inverclyde Liberal Democrats has accused the Scottish Government of 'marking their own homework' amid concern about problems at Ferguson's.

The local branch wrote to Scottish finance minister Kate Forbes highlighting a 'lack of effective independent oversight' on the two CalMac ferries, as well as the pay packet for turnaround director Tim Hair.

In her response, the minister said she received regular independent updates from the Scottish Government's own agency Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL).

The minister added that Mr Hair's pay reflected the highly specialised nature of the role and his track record.

Alasdair Higgins, chairman of Inverclyde Liberal Democrats, says he is 'flabbergasted' by Ms Forbes' response.

He said: “Given the controversial role of CMAL in the tendering process, they are in no position to provide independent advice.

“An independent expert needs to be appointed to supervise the remaining stages of construction and their findings need to be published.”