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SNP Government Admits Unlawful Direct Award Plan for Ferguson Marine

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 10:25 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The SNP Government admitted that directly awarding a four-boat contract to Ferguson Marine was unlawful.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced in March the government would award the contract directly to Ferguson Marine.
Transport Scotland chief executive Stephen Flynn said the Subsidy Control Act 2022 prevents the government from promising a direct award.
No contract awarded, no CMA filing, and redundancies announced at Ferguson Marine while islanders await ferries.

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Story summary

The SNP Government admitted that directly awarding a four-boat contract to Ferguson Marine was unlawful.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced in March the government would award the contract directly to Ferguson Marine.
Transport Scotland chief executive Stephen Flynn said the Subsidy Control Act 2022 prevents the government from promising a direct award.
No contract awarded, no CMA filing, and redundancies announced at Ferguson Marine while islanders await ferries.