TWO senior SNP local politicians insist they still back the decision to nationalise Ferguson's despite the ferry fiasco and a recently revealed government plan to offload the yard back into private ownership 'as soon as possible'.

Stuart McMillan MSP and MP Ronnie Cowan both say they support a government-owned yard and believe the deal to take it over in 2019 from administrators was the right thing to do.

Mr Cowan says the most important thing at that time four years ago was to protect the livelihood of families supported by Ferguson's.

He told the Telegraph: "In recent years the yard has experienced a great deal of turmoil and as part of that it has moved from private ownership to state owned.

"Ideally, I would like it to remain state owned.

"I believe in an independent Scotland we would benefit from such a thing.

"But we need to be pragmatic.

"If the best outcome is for a private owner then so be it.

"I won't take to my soapbox when the most important thing is protecting the livelihood of the 247 Inverclyde families that currently draw a salary from Ferguson Marine and we must do whatever is required to protect the 52 apprentices that are currently progressing their careers.

"Whatever works best for the yard as a going concern and therefore secures it as a long term asset for Inverclyde and Scotland will be good enough for me."

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Mr McMillan says that no matter what happens in terms of ownership investment in the yard must continue.

He said: "I remain of the opinion that nationalising the yard in 2019 was the right thing to do.

"In fact, it was the only viable option to keep the yard going and in doing so the Scottish Government not only saved the existing jobs but they enabled further jobs to be created to help maintain shipbuilding in Port Glasgow.

“Taking the shipyard into public ownership did not come without challenges. There was a lot of baggage the Scottish Government had to take on – none of which was the fault of the workers on the ground.

“In more recent times, progress has been made towards delivering the two vessels and to future-proof the workforce, which will help towards the yard becoming more commercially viable.

“My priorities have never changed, jobs and ensuring that Ferguson Marine continues building vessels well into the future.

"I am also on record as saying that I’m far less concerned about whether that’s as a nationalised yard or one that is in private ownership."

Mr McMillan told the Tele that any move back into the private sector would have to be carefully-timed.

He said: "Handing it over to a private sector investor at the wrong time would not be in the interests of the yard or the workforce.

“No matter who owns the yard, it’s vital that continued investment in the workforce and the yard infrastructure continues. The working museum that went into liquidation in 2014 can never be allowed to happen again.”

Speaking about this week's update from economy minister Neil Gray to say that the work on Hull 802 will continue, he added: "I welcome this decision as it will support a sustainable future for Ferguson's and commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde, protecting highly skilled jobs while creating opportunities for future generations.

"Some will argue that deciding to continue with vessel 802 at Ferguson Marine should be based purely upon whether it’s best value for money – but that narrow assessment fails to consider the added delays to the delivery of the ferries for island communities, the wider benefits of continuing the vessel’s build at Ferguson’s, or the full cost of not doing so.

"That is why I support the Scottish Government’s decision and ministers’ continued commitment to Ferguson’s.”