CAMPAIGNERS fighting to bring dormant Inchgreen Dry Dock back into full industrial use have had a request to meet with Scottish Government ministers snubbed.

Transport minister Jenny Gilruth and trade and enterprise minister Ivan McKee have both rejected an invitation to visit Greenock to discuss the future of the marine asset.

Robert Buirds, secretary of the Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock, described the refusal as a 'slap in the face' and today pointed out how Mr McKee had trumpeted a now failed venture at the dry dock.

Ship scrapping outfit Atlas Decommissioning signed a 'long term' lease with Inchgreen owner Peel Ports in 2021 and pledged to bring 100 skilled jobs to Greenock.

But the company has since failed to win a single contract, with the dry dock — described as a maritime industrial 'jewel' — remaining unused.

Mr McKee previously described the Atlas move as 'excellent news for Inverclyde and for Scotland', adding: "To see a company like Atlas Decommissioning investing in Scotland's economy and creating new jobs is very welcome and sends a strong message to other investors."

But the minister has decided not to meet with Inchgreen campaigners and intends to discuss the dry dock only with members of the Inverclyde Task Force, headed by MSP Stuart McMillan and council leader Stephen McCabe.

A Scottish Government letter sent on behalf of Mr McKee and Ms Gilruth to the campaign states: "Mr McKee attended the last meeting of the Inverclyde Task Force in Greenock on 23 January.

"The minister will continue to engage with the task force to ensure the challenges and opportunities for the Inverclyde economy are understood across the Scottish Government.

"The minister wishes to reassure you that the Scottish Government is supportive of the shipbuilding industry, which is of strategic importance to Scotland's economy and its wider manufacturing base."

The government said the campaign's original request to meet with Ms Gilruth had been passed to Mr McKee because Inchgreen formed part of a 'complex issue...that covers the responsibilities of different ministers'.

Campaign secretary Mr Buirds said: "We have written to four Scottish Government cabinet secretaries and four ministers and only Kate Forbes spoke to us regarding Inchgreen dry dock.

"Ivan McKee has now refused to meet and discuss our plan on regenerating the dry dock.

"However, he was quick to come to Inverclyde for a photo shoot at the container terminal and publicise the arrival of Atlas Decom.

"It is very disappointing that it appears that no-one within the Scottish Government is prepared to tackle the scandal of an empty Inchgreen dry dock."

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