Salmond slams ferry bribery claims

Mar 11 2010

First Minister Alex Salmond was accused of "bribing" SNP-supporting islanders with ferry fare concessions - while prices rise elsewhere.

But the claims were branded "shameful" by Mr Salmond during First Minister`s Questions on Thursday. It was announced this week that tickets on Clyde and Hebridean routes are to increase by 2%, affecting Caledonian MacBrayne sailings.

Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said that Enterprise Minister Jim Mather`s Argyll and Bute constituency will be hit by the rise. But he added: "The £7.5 million ferry fare bribe in Dr Allan`s constituency, the Western Isles, remains untouched. How much of the extra fares paid in Argyll go to pay for that?"