Rennie: Do the right thing and give islanders compensation

No compensation has yet been paid to islanders for delays and disruptions. Earlier this month, the chairman of Ferguson Marine, Andrew Miller, told Parliament’s Public Audit Committee that it was reasonable for bonus payments to be paid to executives at the shipyard in this financial year. 

Mr Rennie said:   

“Businesses under threat. Income lost. Missed hospital appointments. Weddings postponed. Empty shelves. And what’s worse is that the government isn’t even providing a penny in compensation.   

“Ministers are content to issue a ministerial direction to spend millions more at Fergusons but not a penny for the shopkeepers of South Uist. 

“They are happy to shell out a million pounds a month for the MV Alfred but not a penny for the B&Bs on Eriskay. 

“The Scottish Government sits idle whilst Fergusons pay millions in bonuses to the bosses but not a penny to the islanders. Apparently, it’s for the greater good.   

“They must stop the boasting about the virtue of the government’s decisions. Do the right thing and give islanders the compensation they need and deserve.”