The general secratary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), Mick Lynch has hit out at the “chaotic way” ferry services in Scotland are being run as he called for a “people’s CalMac” to be created.

The ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is already state-owned, however Lynch has demanded assurances from the Scottish Government Ministers that lifeline island services on the west coast stretching from the Clyde to the North Minch would stay in public hands.

Mr Lynch called for an urgent meeting with the new transport minister, Fiona Hyslop, who was appointed by Scottish First Minister, Humza Yousaf.

He insisted that CalMac and Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) – the body which owns the ferries (the largest domestic fleet in the UK) and harbour infrastructure – should be brought together into a single organisation.

The general secretary said there should be a “coherent structure” which would allow for a service that “responds to need and doesn’t respond to profit”.

STV News has more on CalMac whose contract for ferry services is due to come to an end in September 2024.