Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson MSP said: “This is a disgrace.
“John Swinney’s admission that these ferries could both be delayed by a further seven months beggars belief, given they are already more than five years late.
“This is another kick in the teeth to Scotland’s islands communities who have been betrayed at every turn during the SNP’s ferries scandal.
“It is also a kick in the teeth to Scottish taxpayers, who are being fleeced further as the costs of this fiasco soar yet again.
“The scale of incompetence shown by SNP ministers throughout this scandal is breath-taking.
“This will be one of the most enduring and shameful legacies of Nicola Sturgeon’s time in office – so to hear SNP MSPs clap John Swinney at the end of his sorry statement was truly astounding.”
