Labour candidate Alasdair Morrison has accused the Scottish Government of 'cynical manipulation' over the timetable foe the ferry routes retendering process.
Alasdair Morrison said: "The Scottish Government underestimate the people of the Western Isles if they think we cannot see their cynical manipulation of the tender process.
“This process should be about protecting island ferry services, jobs and our communities. If this process is to have a modicum of integrity it must be truncated and the decision taken months before the Scottish Parliament elections.”
He added: “I am astounded that the Transport and Islands Minister, Derek Mackay, is postponing the decision until three weeks after the next Scottish Parliament elections.
“Our lifeline ferry services are too important to be manipulated for political gain and this must be about services and communities."
Labour candidate alleges 'cynical manipulation' of ferry tender
18 February 2015