Stephen Flynn was briefed on ferry gas leak before disastrous committee appearance
Stephen Flynn’s appearance at the transport committee had been met with derision
Stephen Flynn was briefed about a gas leak on a scandal-hit ferry prior to a committee hearing where he claimed no knowledge of the incident.
Documents on the Scottish Government website show the transport secretary was given a specific line to use should questions arise.
Mr Flynn had been asked about a major incident on the Glen Sannox where a methane gas leak occurred while 82 passengers were on board.
His briefing pack shows a link to a BBC story on the issue before civil servants tell him: “If this coverage prompts any questions at committee - the line suggested from policy colleagues is as follows.”
The minister is then advised to suggest the issue is a matter for the ferry’s owner and operator.
However, Transport Scotland has insisted the minister being given lines to take does not constitute a briefing.
A spokesman said the previous transport secretary had been formally briefed on the matter when it occurred.
Last month’s transport committee appearance was met with derision when Mr Flynn, in response to questioning by Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie, said he had missed the news that morning.
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The former SNP MP said he had been “FaceTiming my kids” and therefore had not had time.
He was specifically asked by Mr Rennie, the committee convenor, whether he had been briefed on it and said: “No.”
Mr Flynn then admitted he may have missed it but later said publicly: “I was not briefed on this incident.”
Documents released under FOI on the government’s website, however, show he was emailed at 8.48am with Transport Scotland’s stance.
He was then sent CalMac’s position.
His much-derided appearance on September 9 led to criticism that John Swinney had set him up to fail by giving hi a brief too large for his capabilities.
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He told MSPs during the hearing: “The specific news story to which you are referring is one that I would have to go and familiarise myself with.”
On the morning of his appearance the BBC reported that methane gas was vented from the Glen Sannox, which had entered service only in January 2025.
It was described as a “significant incident”.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “As this FOI makes clear, the cabinet secretary was not briefed on this issue before his appearance at the transport committee.
“As the timestamp notes, a draft media statement was sent to Mr Flynn’s office shortly before he arrived at the committee and this was not shared with him.
“A high-level media statement does not constitute formal briefing, which the cabinet secretary received later.
“The previous cabinet secretary for Transport was briefed on the issue last year, at the time of the incident.”
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