Taxpayers forced to fork out for UK company's CEO to commute 3,560 miles from Canada

Taxpayers are picking up the tab for the new stand-in boss of Ferguson Marine to commute a whopping 3,560 miles from Canada.

A Scottish MSP has said that people will be "astonished" to hear they are paying for the thousands of miles commute.

John Petticrew, an experienced shipbuilder, was appointed as interim CEO at the nationalised yard following the shock sacking of David Tydeman. It came after yet more delays in the construction of the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries were revealed.

At the time of his appointment, minister Mairi McAllan said Mr Petticrew would be relocating from Canada – where he lives – to work at the Port Glasgow shipyard but that now appears to have been incorrect.

However Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee heard on Thursday, May 30 that Mr Petticrew has not in fact moved to Scotland and is travelling to and from Ferguson Marine.

Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Graham Simpson said: "I was told that he didn't get relocation expenses, he lives in Canada I believe, but that his remuneration package includes a travel and subsistence allowance. So is the government paying for Mr Pettigrew to travel from Canada to Scotland?"

Deputy Director Dermot Rhatigan replied: "He hasn't received a relocation package. He hasn't relocated from Canada to Scotland. And like all other employees at the yard he's entitled to claim for travel and subsistence."

Labour MSP and committee convener Richard Leonard asked if Mr Petticrew was “going to be flying backwards and forwards every weekend”.

He said: “How regularly would you expect somebody in that position to draw down the expenses they’re contractually entitled to?

Mr Rhatigan replied: “We can take that to the business, or if you want to write to the business they would give you details on that. But it is a contractual matter.

“As far as I understand he’s not travelling weekly between Scotland and Canada, but I don't know the details of how often he’s made that journey.”

After Mr Tydeman was sacked, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesman Willie Rennie MSP suggested he had been made "a scapegoat for SNP failures". He added: "I also understand that the new chief executive lives in Canada, so the Cabinet Secretary must explain how that will work. We need an urgent statement to the Scottish Parliament."

During a debate at Holyrood on March 28, Ms McAllan said: "On the incoming CEO, John Petticrew has 40 years plus experience in shipbuilding. He is a resident of Canada; he will be temporarily relocating to the United Kingdom."