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First Minister John Swinney has defended Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn over a gas leak on the CalMac ferry MV Glen Sannox. Source: bbc.co.uk.
What Happened
Flynn appeared before the Holyrood transport committee and said he hadn’t seen a BBC Scotland report about a methane leak from the Glen Sannox.
The leak occurred during a trip from Arran to Troon. A faulty valve caused 700kg of flammable gas to escape.
Key Facts
- Two emails were sent to Flynn’s office just before the committee meeting.
- One suggested a response for committee questions.
- Flynn claimed he was facetiming his children when he missed the news.
- Transport Scotland confirmed the emails were not shared with him.
- Director Chris Wilcock contacted officials about the story before the meeting began.
What Flynn Said
Flynn posted on X: “This is not true. I should’ve seen the BBC news that morning — but the FOI confirms I was not briefed.”
He added: “Jeez, if I’d known, I’d have given a damn sight better answer than I did at the time!”
He said the incident was shared with former cabinet secretary Fiona Hyslop, as per standard procedures.
Reactions
Committee convener Willie Rennie called Flynn’s response damaging.
He said: “What is alarming is that he seems to have attempted a cover-up, dragging in officials and Transport Scotland.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay demanded Flynn refer himself to the independent advisers on the ministerial code.
He stated: “Stephen Flynn should have admitted he failed to do his job properly.”
Official Response
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said a draft media statement was sent to Flynn’s office before the meeting.
They said it was not shared with him. Formal briefing came later.
The previous cabinet secretary, Fiona Hyslop, had been briefed on the issue in June 2025.
What Swinney Said
In a BBC interview, Swinney said: “Nobody’s perfect, nobody’s infallible.”
He said Flynn recognised he should have known about the issue and responded properly during the committee session.
He confirmed Flynn had not seen the emails before the meeting.
Why It Matters
The incident shows gaps in how ministers prepare for public meetings.
It raises concerns about access to media reports before committee sessions.
It highlights the need for clear, transparent communication in government.
What to Watch Next
Whether Flynn will refer himself to the independent advisers on the ministerial code.
How Transport Scotland will review its briefing procedures for safety incidents.
Any new details from the FOI documents released by the Scottish Sun and The Times.
Source: BBC News
Original source
