Highlands and Islands MSP, David Stewart, has insisted questioning why the Scottish Government will not release correspondence regarding EU rules on ferry tendering.
Mr Stewart, Labour's shadow transport spokesman, said lifeline subsidised ferry services like the Cal Mac network should not have to risk being taken over by a private company.
In a reply to hit parliamentary question, the Scottish Government stated that they have no plans to publish correspondence with the European Commission over Euro requirements for tendering ferry routes.
David Stewart maintained: “The Scottish Government could, and should have explored the Teckal exemption which would have allowed the Scottish Government to avoid the current procurement exercise."
He said the exemption was never specifically raised with the EC.
He added: “Cal Mac is publicly owned and managed and presents the best option for the workforce, passengers and the tax payer. The Scottish Government should have been taking every measure to ensure our services don’t fall into the hands of the private sector.”
Criticism over ferry tendering silence
18 September 2015