A senior SNP minister linked to a botched contract to build two new CalMac ferries has been criticised after dodging questions on the issue.

Keith Brown, who is now justice secretary, was doorstepped by journalists as he left the Holyrood chamber on Thursday.

However, he retreated into the Scottish Parliament’s canteen, insisting: “You’ve had a full response from the First Minister.

The vessels, the Glen Sannox and the as-yet-unnamed hull 802, are at least £150 million over budget and five years late.

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