Delay to Glen Sannox 'likely' as Ferguson boss is sacked

Mr Tydeman had his contract terminated yesterday morning after he warned ministers that a further delay to the delivery of one of the two Caledonian MacBrayne ferries - which are already six years late - was 'likely'.

The decision - which has stunned the workforce and local politicians - was taken by the Ferguson Marine board, who have installed non-exective director John Petticrew as interim CEO.

But Wellbeing Economy Secretary Mairi McAllan described the news of a further delay to MV Glen Sannox as 'unacceptable'.

Chairman of the Ferguson Marine board, Andrew Miller, declared that the yard needs ‘strong leadership’ to ensure its ‘long-term future’.

Ferguson Marine had in recent months sought to secure investment in the yard from the Scottish Government which would help the firm be more competitive when bidding for contracts.

Ministers had turned down a request last year for £25m of investment to support modernisation at the site, however the board of the yard are due to submit a new business case by the end of this month.

Economy secretary Ms McAllan said: “I am focused on the Scottish Government’s priorities of completing the two ferries, ensuring FMPG (Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow) drives down on costs, and securing a sustainable future for the yard and its skilled workforce.

“While the yard had previously stated that the delivery date for Glen Sannox was planned for late May, we are aware that, in the last week, the outgoing CEO intimated further delay was likely.

“That is unacceptable. I know the board are intent on doing everything they can to ensure that delay does not happen."

“I will be stressing to the new interim CEO and the board the importance of the ferries entering service to our island communities as soon as possible.”

The total cost of the Glen Sannox and her sister ship Glen Sannox is currently estimated to be almost quadruple the initial £97m contract price and they are set to be delivered six years late.

Mr Tydeman’s sacking was one of a number of changes to the Port Glasgow yard’s senior management which were announced yesterday.

Ferguson Marine’s board chairman Andrew Miller said: “Ferguson Marine needs strong leadership to ensure its long-term future.

"The board recognised that action needed to be taken to restructure the current leadership team and it has taken these steps to address this.

“Our focus is on the completion of Glen Sannox and hull 802, and the implementation of a robust business plan to improve the commercial viability of Ferguson Marine.

"With this new senior management team in place and a full complement of board members, we have the breadth and depth of experience and capability to drive forward these plans.”

Alex Logan, GMB Scotland’s convenor at Ferguson Marine, told the Telegraph that he had been shocked at the news of Mr Tydeman’s sacking and thanked the outgoing chief for his efforts.

He said: “We had a good working relationship with David, he was always open and upfront with us.

“We had fortnightly meetings with him, he always listened to what was said to him and tried to take it on board and change what he could.

“Unfortunately, he’s not been what the board need for a sustainable future.”

He added: “Whoever is to blame for the problems with these ferries, it is categorically not the workers.

“They are skilled, committed and have endured years of unfair criticism and ongoing uncertainty about the future of their yard.

“Given the opportunity and the right leadership, this workforce can build a far brighter future for Ferguson Marine.

“We wish the new leadership of the yard well, but they must be given every possible support from the Scottish Government to urgently build and deliver a business plan that will secure contracts, protect skills and sustain jobs.

“This yard is crucial to families and communities around Port Glasgow and deserves to be protected and promoted after being used as a political punchbag for far too long.”

The news of the outgoing Ferguson Marine boss’s termination also came as a surprise to local politicians, including Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe, who spoke highly of the departing chief.

He said: “I am surprised by this move. In any dealings I had with David he seemed to have a good handle on the challenges faced by the yard and a real commitment to securing its long-term future.

“Decisions like these are obviously for the board of Ferguson Marine but as a publicly owned company I’m sure our local and regional MSPs will be seeking assurances from the relevant Scottish Government ministers on the future of the yard, which is a vital part of the Inverclyde economy.”

The decision to dismiss Mr Tydeman has sparked calls from a number of politicians for further transparency about the move.

Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson MSP has claimed that Mr Tydeman had been scapegoated and called on the Scottish Government to explain his removal.

He added: "The only people not held accountable are those who are most responsible: the SNP government."

 "It beggars belief that not a single ministerial resignation has been offered when the buck stops with them for years of grotesque mismanagement of Scotland's ferry network.

"While they try to pass the buck with another round of boardroom hiring and firing, our betrayed island communities continue to wait for the lifeline vessels they were promised years ago to finally be delivered."

"While they try to pass the buck with another round of boardroom hiring and firing, our betrayed island communities continue to wait for the lifeline vessels they were promised years ago to finally be delivered."