Reacting to the revelation that £50,000 was spent on the launching ceremony for the MV Glen Sannox, a vessel which remains unfinished to this day, Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“It is astounding that £50,000 was wasted on a sham launching ceremony for a vessel that even now is nowhere near finished.
“This is more than just an expensive photo-opportunity for the First Minister too. The official launching of the vessel triggered a further milestone payment which cost the taxpayer another £1.2 million.
“How could this be allowed to happen? Where was the oversight?
“Surely it was obvious enough to see from the vessel’s fake funnels, pretend engines and painted on windows that the construction of this ship was not going to plan.
“As a surveyor with fifteen years’ experience, I am astonished at the apparent lack of checks and controls in this ferry contract.
“I’m still awaiting answers to my FOI requests that I hope will provide answers as to who checked these milestones and who approved the payments.
“The public deserve to know the truth and this is why there must now be a full public inquiry.”
