EDUCATION Secretary Michael Russell is at the centre of a row over whether he made "deeply insulting" remarks about his local buses being "s****y".
West Coast Motors managing director Colin Craig has accused Mr Russell of making the "offensive" and "slanderous" comment about the services provided by his firm at a recent transport event.
But Mr Russell flatly denied making the comments yesterday.
The contretemps can be traced to last week's launch of a pilot ferry between Ardrossan and Campbeltown, the latter of which is in Mr Russell's constituency.
The ferry will run three times a week in the summer and gives residents another option to the West Coast Motors bus service.
After the launch, Mr Russell said a few words in which he praised the new transport link. However, it is alleged that the Cabinet Secretary also contrasted the ferry with the quality of the local buses.
Craig was informed and immediately sent a letter to Mr Russell.
He wrote: "I understand from several people who listened to your speech last night at the Campbeltown ferry terminal that you described your journey from Ardrossan to Campbeltown on the new CalMac ferry service as 'it beats the s****y four-hour bus journey' and that you suggested this would make a suitable slogan for the new ferry service."
Craig continued: "I find it astonishing and deeply insulting that you would use this slanderous language to describe our service. As one of the largest employers and longest-established businesses in Argyll our staff take great pride in delivering a first-class and reliable operation, day in day out, and your remarks are deeply offensive to our workforce."
He also contrasted Mr Russell's alleged comments with the "respect and support" shown by the MSP's predecessor, Jim Mather, adding that "we now have an MSP who denigrates local enterprise".
However, a Scottish Government spokesman denied that the minister had made the remark.
"Mr Russell contacted Mr Craig as soon as he received his letter to assure him that he did not make the comment referred to in his letter, to tell him what he did say – as attested to by others present – and to offer to meet to further set Mr Craig's mind at rest.
"Mr Russell has consistently been supportive of local businesses, including West Coast Motors, and this continues to be the case."
He added: "In making his remarks around the launch of the new ferry service, Mr Russell simply referenced a humorous remark from another passenger. He did not use the words alleged. What he said was certainly not meant to criticise any local business and was not taken in that way by those present at the time."
A spokesperson for West Coast Motors reiterated the firm's position: "We had it corroborated by six people who were in attendance, hence the reason we sent the letter. As far as Colin is concerned, he dealt with the matter directly with Mr Russell. He considers the matter to be closed."
One individual who attended the event said he could "not recall" whether Mr Russell had used the word "s****y" to describe the local buses.
West Coast Motors, which was runner-up at a transport awards ceremony last year in the category for best express coach service, provides three to five services a day on 364 days of the year.
The firm operates the service on behalf of Scottish Citylink coaches, which has SNP donor Sir Brian Souter as one of its directors.
According to the company's website, the firm employs approximately 286 people and its fleet includes 135 buses and coaches. Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: "Margaret Thatcher was once thought to have said that 'a man who, beyond the age of 26, finds himself on a bus can count himself as a failure' – it seems Mike Russell is of the same view.
"This bus service has kept this community in reach of the rest of Scotland for many years and will continue to do so – this would be something Mike Russell might have realised if he didn't go everywhere in a ministerial car."
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