Flynn told about ferry gas leak despite claiming he was not, documents show

Stephen Flynn was sent emails about a highly flammable gas leak on a CalMac ferry despite claiming he had not been briefed about the incident, documents have revealed.

The transport secretary was asked about the incident on the Glen Sannox during an appearance at a Holyrood committee last month, but told MSPs he was not aware of it, despite the story having been online for several hours.

Asked by Transport Committee convener Willie Rennie if he had been briefed on the incident, Flynn replied: “No,” before adding: “Unless I have missed it.”

Asked by the Press Association to clarify his comments, he insisted: “I was not briefed on this incident.”

However, documents released under a freedom of information request show the minister was emailed about the incident and was warned he could face questions about it.

Flynn, along with Transport Scotland officials who were at the committee, was sent two emails on the leak – one at 8.48am and another at 9.04am, just before his committee began at 9.15am.

In the first email, officials told the minister “there is a story running at the top of the BBC Scotland website this morning”, and attached a link to the article.

The transport secretary was then given a suggested response if he was asked about it.

The second email updated him on CalMac’s official response.

During his committee appearance, Mr Flynn said he had not seen the news coverage that morning because he was “FaceTiming my kids”.

Rennie, a Lib Dem MSP, said on Friday the minister was “only making it worse for himself”, and added: “We now have the solid proof there was briefing from officials, we have seen the evidence, so there is no point in denying the truth.

“But what is alarming is that he seems to have attempted a cover-up, dragging in officials and Transport Scotland.

“If he had bothered to listen to the news in the morning before the committee session, he would not have been surprised by my questions about the leaking of flammable gas on the Glen Sannox.”

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said Mr Flynn must refer himself to the independent advisers on the ministerial code.

He said: “Stephen Flynn should have admitted that he had simply failed to do his job properly.

“But instead, this bombshell new evidence suggests that he conspired with officials to execute a sleekit, skin-saving cover-up.”

Earlier this week, First Minister John Swinney defended his minister, who is seen as his potential successor.

“I am confident that my ministers, including Mr Flynn, are across their responsibilities,” the SNP leader said.

Some 700kg of methane gas had been leaked on board the MV Glen Sannox while carrying passengers from Arran to Troon last summer.

When he was asked at the committee meeting last month, Mr Flynn said: “The specific news story to which you are referring is one that I would have to go and familiarise myself with.”

The transport secretary said to MSPs at the time: “Over the summer, it may well be the case that the wide array of information that is shared with me in respect of ferry issues, that something that happened prior to my entering Parliament and taking on a Government position may have been conveyed to me as part of that, and I wouldn’t want to mislead the committee.”

Flynn was given a role in Swinney’s Cabinet just after being elected to Holyrood in May, following his time leading the SNP’s Westminster group.

Transport Scotland has been asked for comment.