The director of aviation, maritime, freight and canals, Fran Pacitti of Transport Scotland, and head of the ferries unit, Chris Wilcock, rejected the allegations as they appeared before MSPs.

In August last year, the Port Glasgow (Ferguson Marine) yard was saved from administration by Scottish ministers before then finance secretary Derek Mackay announced in December the two ships – 801 and 802 – could be delivered late and at as much as double the original cost.

As part of the procurement process for (Arann & Uig Triangle) ferries, CalMac, Caledonian Marine Assets Limited (CMAL) and the Scottish Government entered into an agreement.

More on the story, The Scotsman reports here