FIRST Minister Humza Yousaf has said there should be no bonuses paid in this financial year to bosses at Ferguson Marine as it emerged payouts are set to be made for last year.

Auditor General Stephen Boyle has detailed that 'unacceptable' bonus payments totalling £87,000 were made to six senior members of staff in 2021-22 with the knowledge of Scottish ministers.

They came despite the spiralling costs and delays in the delivery of lifeline island ferries Glen Sannox and Hull 802.

A spokeswoman for Ferguson Marine confirmed the bonuses were shared between eight people, not including the CEO, and were 'assessed robustly' against performance with details shared with the Scottish Government.

A payment of £23,609 was made last month, with a further instalment due to be made in June, but the Scottish Government is looking at potential alternatives to bonuses.

Responding to a question from Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross in parliament, Mr Yousaf said: “I won’t disagree with Douglas Ross or the Auditor General… the former deputy first minister (John Swinney) made clear his anger, we share that anger, I share that anger at the fact that bonuses have been paid.

“The bonuses that have been paid relate to a decision made by the remuneration committee of Ferguson Marine without consultation with the government in November 2022.

“Those bonuses, I have asked if they cannot be paid and the advice coming back is that they are a contractual obligation.

“For any future discussion or consideration of bonuses, I have made it clear there should not be bonuses paid in relation to vessels 801 and 802.”