First Minister John Swinney has defended one of his ministers amid accusations he is “not on top of the issue”.
Stephen Flynn was appointed Transport and Economy Secretary immediately after being elected to Holyrood earlier this year, following his high-profile stint as the SNP’s leader at Westminster.
Since taking on the new role, Mr Flynn has been criticised over his apparent failure to update Parliament about the situation at bus builder Alexander Dennis early enough, the timing of his intervention to save summer flights from Inverness to Scotland’s islands, and his apparent lack of immediate knowledge about a flammable gas leak on the Glen Sannox ferry.
Transport Committee convener Willie Rennie criticised Mr Flynn during a meeting between the First Minister and the heads of Holyrood committees on Wednesday, forcing Mr Swinney to defend his minister.
I am confident that my ministers, including Mr Flynn, are across their responsibilities
Mr Rennie said: “My central point, as you’ve gathered, is that confidence in ministers is essential.
“We need to know that ministers are on it – they’re open, they’re transparent, they’re acting timely, and I’m afraid you’ve got to recognise that Mr Flynn has not been any of those things.”
The First Minister replied: “I don’t accept that at all.”
Mr Rennie added: “He kept from Parliament Alexander Dennis buses, he didn’t act on time with the island flights, and he wasn’t even aware that inflammable gas was leaked on to a ferry – none of that.
“Does that not concern you?”
Mr Swinney responded: “What I think on all of these issues, the minister has addressed the issues that were put to him and that he’s intervened.”
Mr Rennie continued: “I would put to you that you should have serious concerns about Mr Flynn’s competence as a minister, because all the evidence to our committee has shown that he is not on top of the issue in the way that he should be, at the time that he should be.”
Mr Swinney said: “I will respectfully disagree with Mr Rennie because I am confident that my ministers, including Mr Flynn, are across their responsibilities.”
Alexander Dennis announced last year it could move out of its Scottish base as a result in a downturn in business, with the Government offering a conditional furlough scheme for workers as a result.
According to Mr Rennie, Mr Flynn knew the company had not met the conditions in June, but did not tell MSPs.
The Transport Secretary, in his first appearance before Mr Rennie’s committee last month, also appeared to not be aware of a major gas leak on the Glen Sannox, which happened last year.
The Lib Dem MSP also hit out at the decision to step in and save flights to the islands from October, rather than acting earlier.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Cabinet Secretary has been working tirelessly across all areas of his portfolio since his appointment.
“From in-person engagement with island communities, overseeing the provision of over £1 million to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd for the full restoration of island air services from Inverness, and progressing the extension of £2 bus fare cap across Strathclyde – saving people money and helping them with the cost of living.”