John Swinney faces questioning on ferries contracts after the Ferguson shipyard misses out on a key government order
Tory leader Russell Findlay says the current difficulties facing the Port Glasgow yard stem from a 'rigged contract' made for political benefit a decade ago
The FM says it's the Tories who are harming the shipyard by running down its reputation.
Scottish Labour says the SNP's award of ferries contracts abroad shows their slogan should be "Stronger for Poland" not "Stronger for Scotland"
Alex Cole-Hamilton says the Netflix drama Adolescence has highlighted the problems of school violence and misogynistic influencers
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The Scottish Tory leader argues the entire procurement process for the ferries Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa was "rigged and the rules were repeatedly broken".
Findlay says John Swinney personally signed off on a process "that was not just flawed but corrupt".
He asks if the FM accepts his actions a decade ago means Scottish shipyards are now losing out to Polish ones.
The first minister explain the governmen has supported the work at Fergusons with an additional investment of £14.2m for the yard.
This will secure its future he says.
"These vessels could and indeed should have been built here in Scotland," responds Findlay.
The Scottish Conservative leader says under the direct control of the Scottish government Fergusons is unable to compete.
"Who is responsible for that?" he asks.
Calum Watson
BBC Scotland News
Image source, Getty ImagesEarlier this week we learned the nationalised Ferguson shipyard had missed out on a crucial order for seven small electric ferries for west coast operator Caledonian MacBrayne.
Ferries procurement agency CMAL had instead named a Polish firm, Remontowa, as preferred bidder for the small vessels replacement programme (SVRP).
Ferguson's, the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde, had vowed to bid "aggressively" for the contract and had made it onto a shortlist of six bidders.
A total of £175m has been allocated to build the new "loch class" vessels and complete harbour and shore power upgrades. The first ferries are due to join the CalMac fleet in 2027.
Ferries were back in the news today with Ferguson's appointing Graeme Thomson as the new boss of the Port Glasgow firm.
"For the simple reason that there has been a competitve tender process undertaken to make sure that we can deliver seven new vessels," replies the first minister.
Swinney reminds the chamber that the government must follow procurement legislation.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentRussell Findlay criticised the Scottish government regarding ferries
Russell Findlay begins by saying Scotland should be able to build ferries.
"So why will seven new CalMac vessels instead be built in Poland?" asks the Scottish Tory leader.
First Minister John Swinney has taken his customary seat at the heart of the government's front bench and he sits poised ready for the first question from Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay.
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Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
It’s been a rough week at Ferguson Marine, the nationalised shipyard on the Clyde.
The interim chief executive departed sooner than expected, the recently-delivered Glen Sannox was briefly taken out of service after springing a leak, and then, worst of all, the yard failed to secure a crucial contract for future ferry-building work.
There’s already been one opposition debate about the issue at Holyrood this week. Frankly, we aren’t going to learn anything new about how parties are positioning themselves.
But both the Conservatives and Labour will take the opportunity to batter away at the bruise regardless.
Never mind whether they’d have done anything differently had they been in power, this is an uncomplicated, old-fashioned government-kicking exercise.
It’s been a big week for industrial strategies and employment when you consider we also finally saw the Project Willow report on the future of Grangemouth.
And John Swinney will be itching to push back on Labour’s welfare reforms at Westminster, which look set to impact on Holyrood’s budget as well as the political fortunes of its parties.
Much of the focus has been on Westminster as the political parties reacted to Liz Kendall's benefits changes.
Scotland's Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the UK government's welfare reforms will be "devastating" for disabled people.
Elsewhere at Holyrood a senior Dundee University figure told MSPs that insolvency is a "real possibility" as the institution attempts to tackle a £35m funding black hole.
This morning it emerged doctors were warning that many practices in Scotland could not afford to hire new GPs, despite government promises to make it easier to see a family doctor.
A long-awaited report said up to 800 jobs could be created over the next 15 years at the Grangemouth site, where the UK's oldest oil refinery is set to close.
The nationalised Ferguson shipyard missed out on a crucial order for seven small electric ferries for west coast operator Caledonian MacBrayne.
Image source, PA MediaGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of First Minister's Questions.
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