Commenting on the announcement by SNP Transport Minister Graeme Dey MSP that ferry services are likely to be reduced in 2022, Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said:

“This is final confirmation of the disastrous mismanagement of our lifeline ferry service by the SNP.

“They have no excuses: more than ten years ago CalMac warned the Scottish Government of its need for replacement vessels, a warning that was ignored.

“This amounts to a dereliction of their duty of care to our island communities and is, frankly, unforgivable.

“We will be counting the cost of this for years to come in lost jobs and lost investment.”