Flynn Admits 'Terrible Answer' on Ferry Gas Leak, Cites 'Faux Outrage'

Stephen Flynn has admitted to giving a "terrible answer" when he was unable to provide details about a flammable gas leak on a ferry during a session at a Holyrood committee. However, Flynn also accused his critics of exhibiting "faux outrage" over the incident.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport faced significant criticism after appearing before the transport committee last month without knowledge of a BBC report published that morning detailing the gas leak. Flynn had attributed his lack of awareness to "FaceTiming my kids."

It later emerged that officials had emailed him a briefing on the story prior to his appearance, though Flynn stated he had not seen it. Responding to criticism from Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie, who suggested Flynn was not "on it," Flynn remarked that Rennie, who portrays himself as detail-oriented, was "outraged on Friday about an email sent to an account that I can’t even see – and he knows that." Flynn suggested the public would assess Rennie's "faux outrage" and that he would "continue to get on with the job of delivery."

When pressed on whether a member of his staff should have alerted him to the story, Flynn conceded, "it would have been nice to have been aware of the story." He further stated, "I gave a terrible answer, and I recognise I was probably far too candid, actually, in respect of my own response and I’ve reflected upon that, of course I have, and nobody’s more frustrated about that than I am."

Flynn emphasized that his primary concern was not his personal reputation or the dispute over the email, which he noted was sent to an account he does not have access to shortly before the committee meeting. "The important thing for me is to just really drive home the message that in relation to that gas leak in June 2025, the then transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, was briefed and it was made quite clear that there was no threat to the public," he said. He added that any necessary repairs had been completed on the Glen Sannox's sister ship, the Glen Rosa, which is currently under construction at Ferguson's shipyard.