A company owned by one of the SNP’s biggest donors could be awarded a contract to run a subsidised west coast of Scotland ferry service, it emerged last night.
Brian Souter’s firm Highland and Universal Securities has been shortlisted as a bidder to operate the Gourock to Dunoon route.
The Perth-based Stagecoach Group co-founder’s firm is one of four companies that hope to win the Scottish Government contract for six years.
Mr Souter, 55, who donated £625,000 to the SNP in 2007, said Highland and Universal Securities was “well placed” to improve on the current levels of service provided to ferry passengers.
“I am pleased we have progressed to the next round of the tender,” he added.
The firm, which is registered at 36 Tay Street, Perth, is owned by the Souter family and is not part of the Stagecoach bus group.
Highland and Universal Securities is the owner of Fullers Group, a successful ferry company based in Auckland in New Zealand.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon welcomed the news that the firm, along with Cowal Ferries Ltd, Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd and Clyde Marine Services Ltd have been shortlisted from 10 firms to bid for the ferry service.
She added: “I understand Brian Souter has not made a donation to the SNP for its general election campaign.
“He should declare whether he intends to make a donation to the party’s Holyrood election campaign next year, however.”
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Dave Stewart said: “It is vitally important this process is extremely transparent, particularly if Highland and Universal Securities is the successful bidder.
“Brian Souter is a major supporter of the SNP and has provided it with funding which places greater responsibility on the government.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said the Gourock to Dunoon contract was being handled in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the European Commission's ruling that public financing for the operation of ferry shipping services in Scotland is compatible with state aid rules.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has said that the public tender process will be transparent and non-discriminatory.
A source close to Mr Souter accused Ms Scanlon of “mischief-making” and engaging in “distasteful” politics.
The European Commission has said the new service must be up and running by June 2011.