Scottish Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn is facing demands for an independent investigation into whether he misled Parliament after newly released emails raised questions about what he knew concerning a potentially dangerous gas leak aboard the Glen Sannox ferry.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has called on Flynn to refer himself to the independent advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code following the publication of correspondence showing that information about the incident was sent to his office before a Holyrood committee appearance on 9 September.
The controversy centres on a methane gas leak aboard the CalMac vessel in June 2025, when approximately 700 kilograms of the highly flammable gas escaped while the ferry was carrying passengers between Arran and Troon.
During questioning by Transport Committee convener Willie Rennie, Flynn said he had not been briefed about the incident and indicated that he had missed news coverage earlier that morning.
However, documents subsequently released under Freedom of Information legislation show that emails concerning the incident were sent to Flynn and Transport Scotland officials at 8.48am and 9.04am, before the committee began at 9.15am.
The correspondence included a link to news coverage, a suggested response should the issue arise and an updated statement from CalMac.
The existence of those emails has prompted questions about whether the minister received sufficient information before appearing before MSPs and whether his subsequent explanation accurately reflected what had been communicated to his office.
Transport Scotland maintains that Flynn had not received a formal briefing, drawing a distinction between information being circulated by email and the minister being personally briefed.
That distinction is central to the dispute, as the existence of correspondence does not by itself establish that Flynn read or understood its contents before the hearing.
Nevertheless, Findlay believes the circumstances warrant independent scrutiny.
The Scottish Conservative leader said:
“These emails appear to confirm that John Swinney’s transport secretary was briefed about this critical incident on a CalMac ferry.
“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.
“Flynn is increasingly beginning to resemble a mini-Swinney as they share the same brazen propensity to hoodwink the paying public.
“Swinney still refuses to correct the record despite falsely telling parliament that Scots would lose their pensions.
“And now his apparent successor is engaging in similar grubby dishonesty.
“Flynn should do the right thing and refer himself for investigation to the independent advisers to the ministerial code.”
The allegations of dishonesty and a deliberate cover up remain political accusations rather than established findings.
First Minister John Swinney has defended Flynn, expressing confidence in his minister and maintaining that the correspondence did not amount to a formal briefing.
The controversy has particular significance for Scotland’s island communities, where confidence in ferry safety, reliable services and transparency surrounding incidents is essential.
It also raises a wider question about the information ministers receive before giving evidence to parliamentary committees, particularly when matters involving public safety are concerned.
The immediate issue now is whether the circumstances justify a formal investigation under the ministerial code and whether further clarification will be provided about what Flynn knew before entering the committee room.
For communities depending on Scotland’s ferry network, the expectation is straightforward: serious incidents should be properly investigated, information should be communicated clearly and those responsible for overseeing services should be able to provide accurate answers.
