Nicola Sturgeon dragged into ferries scandal as billionaire Jim McColl attacks ministers

Billionaire Jim McColl has revealed that Nicola Sturgeon publicly announced the £97 million price tag for two CalMac ferries before cost negotiations with his shipyard were completed.

The First Minister was dragged into the scandal over the spiralling costs of the two vessels when Mr McColl gave evidence to Holyrood on Wednesday.

Mr McColl, who is one of Ms Sturgeon’s economic advisers, called for a public inquiry into the construction of the two ferries destined for the Hebridean and Clyde routes.

© Andrew Cawley