Alex Salmond clashes with Douglas Ross in heated row over CalMac ferry fiasco

Alex Salmond was appearing during the Scottish Affairs Committee on Tuesday

Alex Salmond and Douglas Ross clashed over the CalMac ferry fiasco in a heated row at Westminster today.

Appearing before the Scottish Affairs Committee, the former first minister accused the Scottish Tory leader of being “off the ball” after he made an error over the timing of the delayed vessels.

The nationalised Ferguson Marine yard in Port Glasgow has struggled to complete two orders for car ferries handed to it by the Scottish Government.

Following his blunder, the Alba party leader said being an MP and an MSP must have been “exhausting” for Ross.

But the Tory hit back, mocking Salmond for “not having that problem any more”.

SNP committee chair Pete Wishart had to intervene several times during Salmond and Ross’ heated row.

The Tory MP had incorrectly said Salmond was in charge of the Scottish Government when contracts were given to Fergusons to build the ferries in 2015. He also wrongly said that it was Salmond who nationalised the shipyard.

Salmond stood down as first minister in 2014 and the shipyard was nationalised in 2019.

Speaking today, the former SNP leader said: “Check the record Douglas the contracts for the ferries were agreed sometime after I left office.”

Ross replied: “You were involved in the nationalisation of that yard.”

The Alba leader hit back: “No, I was involved in saving the yard and a private business took over and the nationalisation of the yard was four years later.

“I mean, you know, it’s people like me who are looking back over the last 20 years who can get their dates mixed up.

“You’re meant to be on the spot and on the ball. Two parliaments have been quite exhausting going back and forth.”

Ross replied: “Well fortunately you don’t have that problem any more since you’re not sitting in either.”

But Salmond would not back down and urged Ross to “acknowledge” that his memory had failed him over the timeline on the ferry contracts.

Ross responded: “On the point then if you don’t want to focus on ferries, on education and drug deaths.”

Salmond intervened: “I want you to acknowledge that your assumption that my involvement in the ferries’ contract was incorrect. It is manifestly incorrect.

“I won’t ask you to apologise as you are not a minister, I’m sure you are not deliberately misleading the committee.

“I just want you to acknowledge that your memory had failed you.”

After he was pressed again by Salmond, Ross replied: “I am happy to do that.”

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