'Basket case' blast at EC policy

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Transport Minister Tavish Scott has renewed his criticism of the European rules he blames for the disastrous ferry services tender policy.

In an interview with Holyrood magazine, he described the European Commission's transport policy as a "basket case".

Caledonian MacBrayne has been left as the sole bidder to run the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.

However, Mr Scott said the Scottish Executive would still have to go through the entire process.

Isle of Man-based V Ships pulled out of the contest last month, saying that the tender details were too restrictive to allow the company to provide more efficient services.

Its decision leaves state-owned CalMac as the only bidder for the 25 west coast and Clyde routes.

I think European transport policy from the European Commission is a basket case Tavish ScottTransport Minister

Mr Scott was critical of the process at a Holyrood committee last week, saying the executive had been forced into the whole tender process by the commission.

In the interview with Holyrood magazine, he said: "We have the ludicrous situation where they are forcing us to tender Clyde and Hebrides ferry services, but do not force the Paris Metro to bring market forces to bear there.

"I think the inconsistency and nonsense of European policy is laid stark by that one simple observation.

"I think European transport policy from the European Commission is a basket case."

Scottish National Party MSP Fergus Ewing dismissed Mr Scott's comments as "double talk".

Privately-owned Western Ferries was one of the companies which dropped out of the tender race.

Its managing director, Gordon Ross, said the executive probably did not have much choice, but described the whole process as a missed opportunity.