INVERCLYDE'S MSP has declared he wants all future CalMac ferries to be built at Ferguson's — and repeated his insistence that failing turnaround director Tim Hair must go.

Stuart McMillan has reiterated to government finance secretary Kate Forbes directly that the £791,000-a-year boss cannot continue at a time when Scotland's nationalised yard is not considered good enough to win Scottish Government contracts.

Shipyards in Romania, Poland and Turkey are in the running to build two new vessels for CalMac's Islay services after Ferguson's — under Mr Hair's publicly-funded leadership — failed to impress with its tender bid.

Mr McMillan — who met Ms Forbes last week — told the Telegraph: "I reiterated the management point to the cabinet secretary and I stand by that.

"To be in a position where the yard is not being considered for the two Islay vessels, it is clear to me that in order to progress the yard there needs to be a change of management.

"We have clearly got to a point where progress is not quick enough and in order for the yard to move on to the next level there needs to be change."

Inverclyde Council has called for a direct award of domestic ferry work, but the MSP insists the situation is not as straightforward as that.

Mr McMillan added: "I want all [CalMac ferries] work to go to Ferguson's.

"But if they got [a] direct award for every single vessel, to follow that logic would indicate that Ferguson's cannot bid for work outside of Scotland.

"That cannot be sustainable for the future.

"It has to be internationally competitive as well."

The Scottish Government's budget line for investment in the shipyard - currently scrambling to finish two heavily-delayed dual fuel vessels - this year is £47 million and Mr McMillan says this 'shows the commitment' of ministers.

The MSP added: "Ferguson is very much at the forefront of winning future [Scottish Government] orders.

"No-one is saying that Ferguson won't win orders."

In a recent parliamentary answer to Mr McMillan, Ms Forbes said: "I have been crystal clear with the yard's management that I expect — no ifs, no buts — the two vessels to be completed and the yard to get into a position to compete successfully for tenders."

The finance secretary added: "I'm monitoring progress at the yard closely through the board, who ultimately oversee operational matters and hold management accountable for performance."

The Telegraph understands that Ms Forbes attended the latest Ferguson board meeting in person last Thursday and Mr McMillan says he has urged her to continue to be present whenever the board convenes.

Mr Hair is due to deliver his latest public update on the progress to the Scottish Parliament's rural affairs and connectivity committee this week.

Mr McMillan said: "This offers a further opportunity to engage with management.

"It is a public document, so the situation the yard is in will be under scrutiny from all sides.

"I can't obviously pre-judge the update report that Mr Hair will send but I will look at it and make up my own mind.

"I do want a better understanding as to why the yard was not sharp enough to get into the running for the new ferries.

"Clearly the content of Ferguson's [tender] document was not enough, and that is clearly an issue."

Mr McMillan says the government sees the yard as having a bright future, with the immediate focus being on the completion of both the Glen Sannox and her sister ship, Hull 802.

He added: "That said, and this seems to have been lost within some of the coverage of the tendering announcement made, CMAL [Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd] are undertaking a £580m programme of work over the next five years.

"Ferguson Marine will have many more opportunities to tender for many more contracts over the coming years including the phase 1 of the Small Vessels Replacement programme.

"We have heard a lot of commentary on the two ferries currently under construction over the past two years.

"A lot of it centred on the failures of the yard.

"Those same detractors are now up in arms because the yard failed in an attempt to get more work while the Glen Sannox and Hull 802 are still not complete.

"The cabinet secretary and I both agree that finishing these vessels has to be the priority and going forward, Ferguson Marine will have every chance of gaining further work from CMAL, building skills and careers and helping to provide a modern ferry fleet for Scotland."