THE news that the two ferries being built at Ferguson Marine will be further delayed has been slammed by a local MSP.

Scottish Labour MSP Katy Clark said that the latest blow was the result 'governance, management and financial safeguarding failures' at the yard.

She said: "The running of Ferguson Marine has been appalling.

“Whilst ministers refuse to take responsibility for this debacle and managers hand themselves bonuses, it is islanders, the yard workforce and the wider public who are being failed.

“However, the Scottish Government must learn the right lessons. Islanders need a steady pipeline of ferries and the workers need job security. Continuing to outsource ferry contracts abroad will not help in that regard.

“The shipyard needs a continuous chain of work going. It is time the Scottish Government properly provided the investment in facilities needed to develop shipbuilding here and made a direct award to secure the yard’s future.”