SNP Minister Faces Scrutiny Over Ferry Gas Leak Incident

Scottish National Party (SNP) minister Stephen Flynn is facing allegations of a cover-up after emails revealed his office was informed about a gas leak on the MV Glen Sannox ferry. Flynn had previously told a parliamentary committee that he had not been briefed on the incident.

The BBC reported that a faulty valve on the CalMac ferry released enough methane to fill a four-bedroom house while 82 passengers were on board. The situation was not publicly disclosed for over a year.

During a hearing last month, Flynn, who is the Transport portfolio holder, was questioned by Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) about the incident. He insisted that he had not been "briefed" on the matter. At one point, he stated he had not seen news reports about the incident that morning because he was "Facetiming my kids."

However, emails released under freedom of information rules show that officials sent updates to Flynn's office in advance of his committee appearance, flagging that he might be asked about the leak. One email, sent at 8:48 a.m. on September 9, drew attention to a news report and outlined Transport Scotland's anticipated stance if questions arose during the committee session. Minutes later, at 9:04 a.m., another email provided an update on the June 2025 incident, describing it as a "critical failure" and offering additional details.

Flynn appeared before the committee at 9:15 a.m., 27 minutes after the first email was sent to his office. Both emails were copied to other staff, including Transport Scotland officials who were present at the hearing.

In response to questioning from committee chairman Willie Rennie, Flynn stated, "The specific news story to which you are referring is one I would have to go and familiarise myself with." He added, "I didn't see the news because I was Facetiming my kids - but that is a different matter." He later maintained, "I was not briefed on this incident."

Transport Scotland has argued that the emails constituted a "draft media statement" rather than a "formal briefing." A spokesman for the agency stated, "As this FoI makes clear, the Cabinet Secretary was not briefed on this issue before his appearance at the Transport Committee. As the timestamp notes, a draft media statement was sent to Mr Flynn's office shortly before he arrived at the committee and this was not shared with him."

Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie commented that the minister was "only making it worse for himself." He 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."

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay called for Flynn to refer himself to the independent advisers on the ministerial code. Findlay stated, "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."

First Minister John Swinney had previously defended Flynn, stating, "I am confident that my ministers, including Mr Flynn, are across their responsibilities."