Labour SNP spat

Labour’s parliamentary candidate, Alasdair Morrison and the SNP’s Scottish Tramsport Minister have clashed over the delays in getting the Stornoway ferry, MV Loch Seaforth, in service.

Lengthy hold-ups in harbour works at Stornoway pushed back the introduction of the modern £42 million vessel which was built to replace the MV Isle of Lewis and the former freight ship, MV Muirneag.

Mr Morrison - who is a director of Stornoway Port Authority - accused transport minister Derek Mackay of blaming islanders for the delays surrounding the procurement of MV Loch Seaforth ferry.

In turn, Derek Mackay - who is on an official visit to Uist and Benbecula this week - said Mr Morrison was “desperate and dishonest.”

Alasdair Morrison said: “Uist has many ferry issues which need resolving without Mr MacKay wasting time berating people on a neighbouring island.

Labour and SNP in spat over ferry delays

16 April 2015

“It’s hugely revealing that Mr MacKay criticised harbour trusts, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, CalMac and CMAL but did not apportion any blame to the MP and MSP.

“Mr MacKay should apologise for his Government’s neglect and the absence of our MP and MSP. They are to blame not innocent bystanders.”

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Derek Mackay retorted: “Labour’s candidate has reached a new low with these desperate and dishonest smears.

“During what has been an extremely productive visit to North Uist, the Minister said lessons will be learnt from the Loch Seaforth project and who could disagree with that?

“Perhaps if Mr Morrison had learnt some lessons himself his party’s campaign would not be in such crisis in the Western Isles and throughout Scotland.”