Swinney backs Flynn in ferry gas leak row and says ‘Nobody’s perfect’

A “ministerial engagement briefing” issued ahead of the transport committee’s meeting on 9 September showed two emails sent to Flynn at 08:48 and 09:04.

The meeting – which marked Flynn’s first appearance before the committee since becoming transport secretary in May – was scheduled to get under way at 09:15.

The initial email was sent to Flynn and Transport Scotland officials.

It acknowledges Transport Scotland was “yet to be contacted for comment”.

However, it includes a suggested comment from policy officials “if the coverage prompts any questions at committee”.

A follow-up, sent 16 minutes later, includes a comment from CalMac and was sent to Flynn and Transport Scotland officials “for awareness”.

The transport secretary was questioned about the gas incident – which came to light after an FOI by BBC Scotland – by committee convener Rennie later that morning.

Flynn told Rennie he had not been given a briefing about the story though he quickly clarified “unless I’ve missed it”.

He added: “I wasn’t listening or watching the BBC this morning convener… I didn’t see the news because I was facetiming my kids – but that is a different matter.”

Flynn said “it may have been the case” that the incident “may have been conveyed” to him as part of a wider tranche of documents he was given when he took over the role from predecessor Fiona Hyslop.

He later clarified that Hyslop had been told about the leak.