TRANSPORT Minister Humza Yousaf was criticised for his absence at the Save Our Ferry meeting in Ardrossan Civic Centre.

According to elected members at the event last Thursday, Mr Yousaf had been unable to attend because he had been at Holyrood all day. 

But West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said that he had also been in Parliament that day but he had made it to the event.

Apologising for his lateness to the meeting, Mr Greene said: “The reason I was late is because I was sitting just a few feet away from the Transport Minister in Parliament this evening and, yes, I was late, but I made it so it was absolutely possible that he could have got in his car at two minutes past five as I did, hit the M8 and come here and speak to us personally – and I did offer that invitation to him but he’s not here.”

Mr Yousaf was also blasted by a member of the public at the meeting, who said he felt that the Transport Minister should be “standing up to the plate”. 

But Leader of the Opposition Group on North Ayrshire Council Willie Gibson responded that the Transport Minister had been “put in a very difficult position” and said that if Mr Yousaf made a decision now “people would criticise him for not listening to both causes”. 

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Mr Yousaf has arranged to meet local community and business representatives on December 7, organised with North Ayrshire Council, and is looking forward to a constructive dialogue.”