- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 16 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) is aware of and (b) has had contact from any body with investigatory powers that is currently undertaking any investigation into the affairs of GFG Alliance, other than the Serious Fraud Office, broken down by the (i) name of any such organisation and (ii) date of any such contact.
Answer
The Scottish Government is not aware of any investigation other than that by the Serious Fraud Office.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 1 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it raised any concerns at a (a) ministerial and (b) official level with CMAL about preferential treatment in procurement relating to Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (i) before and (ii) following the broadcast of the BBC programme, Disclosure: The Great Ferries Scandal.
Answer
Procurement for vessels 801 and 802 was the responsibility of CMAL. Scottish Ministers were not aware of any potential impropriety in CMAL’s procurement process.
Following the Disclosure Scotland allegations, Scottish Ministers asked the Permanent Secretary to speak with the Auditor General on this matter and we welcome confirmation that Audit Scotland will be looking at the substance of the allegations and deciding if further audit work is required.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 27 October 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what contact it has had with Police Scotland in relation to GFG Alliance.
Answer
It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on a live Serious Fraud Office investigation.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 27 October 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what internal investigations (a) it and (b) its agencies are undertaking into any impropriety by ministers or officials that may have taken place in relation to the allegations featured in the BBC programme, Disclosure: The Great Ferries Scandal.
Answer
The Scottish Government and its agencies are considering what further internal investigations are required. Once completed this work will be shared with Audit Scotland.
All parties will cooperate fully with any further investigation by Audit Scotland.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 27 October 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it and (b) any of its agencies or public corporations have discussed the alleged improprieties described in the BBC programme, Disclosure: The Great Ferries Scandal, with Police Scotland.
Answer
No discussions have taken place with Police Scotland.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 October 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it indicated any support to CMAL for Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd’s bid during the tendering process for vessels 801 and 802.
Answer
Scottish Ministers were not party to the procurement process and would not have indicated support for any specific bid.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 27 October 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the allegations and potential instances of impropriety described in the BBC programme, Disclosure: The Great Ferries Scandal, could constitute criminal offences.
Answer
It is not for Scottish Government to determine whether or not criminality has occurred. This would be a matter for Police Scotland to consider.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 October 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what communication it had with CMAL regarding any changes to the requirement for bidders following the commencement of the tendering process for vessels 801 and 802.
Answer
In October 2014, CMAL initiated procurement of vessel 801 and 802. The Scottish Government was not party to the procurement process, which was managed by CMAL.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 27 October 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has taken legal advice on the allegations of potential irregularities in CMAL’s procurement process described in the BBC programme, Disclosure: The Great Ferries Scandal.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the seriousness of the allegations and we are carefully considering them.
In line with the Ministerial Code, we cannot comment on whether specific legal advice has been taken on this matter.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 27 October 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has taken legal advice on any investigations into GFG Alliance.
Answer
The Scottish Government is supported by both commercial and legal experts in its ongoing management of the Scottish Government Guarantee with the GFG Alliance.