The former owner of a shipyard has accused the SNP Government of "fabulous propaganda" for attempting to shift blame over the ferries fiasco.
Businessman Jim McColl - owner of the Ferguson yard on the Clyde until 2019 - took aim at the SNP government after a war of words broke out following an Audit Scotland report.
It revealed that two new CalMac vessels will now be delayed again and cost the taxpayer more money.
A feud has broken out between McColl and Scottish Government ministers, including Nicola Sturgeon, over who is to blame for the fiasco.
The industrialist doubled down on his criticism of the government today saying Ferguson Marine, which was nationalised in 2019, did not know about concerns raised by ferry firm CMAL back in 2015 ahead of a contract being awarded.
He also claimed contracts were rushed through for "political purposes".
McColl was asked by host of Good Morning Scotland Laura Maxwell about the CMAL concerns: "CMAL warned the Scottish Government in advance of signing this contract with you that that it was going to be too risky and said that the procurement process was reopened."
He replied: "The point that CMAL objected to we weren't aware of at the time, and this has been uncovered by Audit Scotland.
"They are the body that are held responsible, and had I known at the time that they were strongly opposed to it, I wouldn't have taken this contract.
"How can you work with a buyer who doesn't want you to be there?"
'Fabulous propaganda exercise'
McColl was asked who was responsible for the failings at the yard.
He said: "I'm sure there is a small amount of responsibility that was with Fergusons.
"I had an independent review carried out by experts early in 2017/18 and they found they were highly critical of the way the specification was put together.
"There's been a fabulous propaganda exercise carried out by the government to try and put the blame of this onto the previous management at Fergusons.
"Fergusons had absolutely top class management that did a great job, and that's why I'm speaking out to support them because they have been, I think, unfairly criticised.
"I think this is clearly for political purposes. There's more work that needs to be done because this is the tip of the iceberg."
Who signed the contract?
Since the Audit Scotland report was published last week the issue around which government minister signed the contract has been disputed with politicians claiming it was then Transport Minister Derek Mackay, however McColl disputes that.
He said: "As I recall, Derek Mackay was not available at the time to sign off.
"He was actively involved with the First Minister around the order for Fergusons, but he wasn't available and I believe it was Keith Brown at the time that signed it.
"I believe and I was told after at the committee meeting to review what happened here. I was told that the chairman refused to sign that CMAL refused to sign the order, and that it had to be a government minister.
"I didn't understand at the time why but again, Audit Scotland has revealed why CMAL was strongly opposed to this. They are the gatekeepers here and they should have been respected."
Maxwell asked: "Would the taxpayer have been better served if the Scottish Government had listened to CMAL's recommendation against awarding Fergusons the contract?"
McColl replied: "Absolutely, because what's happened subsequently is costing the taxpayer a huge amount of money that could have been avoided."
'Painted windows'
During a visit by Nicola Sturgeon to the yard in 2017 it was claimed the windows of one of the ships were painted on, however McColl attempted to clear up what actually went on.
He said: "The windows were covered up. I don't think it was paint, I think it was a plastic cover on them over over the front.
"It was to launch the ship so that we could get the other one on to the slipway to keep going and minimise any delays.
"That was the decision of the management of the yard."
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
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