Councillors to vote on Ferguson inquiry into ferries fiasco

The Telegraph understands that a motion calling on the local authority to formally demand a probe will be presented at a full council meeting later this month.

It has emerged that one political grouping within the Municipal Buildings is making preparations for an emergency debate on the matter in the wake of a dramatic intervention by billionaire businessman and former yard owner Jim McColl last week.

Meanwhile, council leader Stephen McCabe has separately hinted that his Labour group may support the type of judge-led investigation into the debacle that Mr McColl wants to see established.

Councillor McCabe declared that 'there is a case' for such an inquiry following Holyrood's former rural economy and connectivity committee concluding that there had been a catastrophic failure in managing the procurement of vessels Glen Sannox and Hull 802.

The Tele believes all elected members of the local authority will be asked to officially adopt a position in favour of a full public probe when they meet in the council chambers on February 17.

Councillor McCabe said: "There are certainly questions that remain unanswered over the dispute that led to Ferguson Marine going into administration and being taken over by the Scottish Government.

"I believe the Scottish Parliament committee inquiry only scratched the surface and never got to the heart of what went wrong, so there is a case for some form of independent inquiry."

The SNP's Inverclyde MSP, Stuart McMillan, however refused to answer a direct question as to whether he would be supportive of calls for a public inquiry.

Mr McMillan said: "It is frustrating that the ships have been delayed, but they will be delivered and they will make a substantial difference to Scotland's lifeline ferry services.

"That has only been made possible thanks to the intervention of the SNP Scottish Government, as without it, the yard would have closed and the jobs would have gone.

"The yard is not without its challenges but its sole focus at the moment must be on the delivery of the two vessels.

"Clearly, there are lessons that must be learned from this experience for all parties.

"If there is to be an inquiry, I would expect the timing and format of it will be decided in due course — hopefully when these boats are in the water and benefitting the communities they are being built to serve."

Clyde Blowers engineering tycoon Mr McColl last week branded procurement quango Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) 'incompetent' and accused the Scottish Government of peddling 'inane propaganda' about the affair.

Highly respected marine consultancy Burness Corlett Three Quays — hired by Mr McColl's former Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd to review the ferries contract — concluded: "From our review of the invitation to tender document [ITT], and other information provided, it is clear that at the ITT stage, CMAL had not thought through and did not have a clear idea of the consequences of what they were asking for in terms of the ITT specification, the design concept for the vessels had not been thoroughly developed."

Global risk management consultancy HKA said CMAL 'interfered in the design process' and 'involved itself in matters in which it had no right to do so'.

CMAL said: "There was a parliamentary inquiry into the dual fuel vessels contract, and the report was critical of all parties involved. We've taken learnings from the report, and focus is now firmly on our ongoing work to renew and transform the ferry fleet and harbour network with a £580 million commitment from Scottish Government over five years to 2026."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Ferguson Marine's priority is to complete the two ferries that are currently under construction and continue the work to ensure that it is in shape to compete successfully for contracts, both domestically and further afield, in future."

Councillor McCabe says the establishment of an inquiry would be a matter for the Scottish Government and is sceptical that they will want one to take place.

He said: "I suspect the Scottish Government is keen to move on from the original dispute and would not wish to see the actions of current and former ministers subjected to further scrutiny."