SNP transport officials trip over basic facts, sparking fresh criticism of Holyrood.
The Scottish Parliament found itself under fresh scrutiny on 20 September 2026 when two senior SNP figures made avoidable gaffes during a routine transport committee hearing. Collette Stevenson, the East Kilbride MSP, interrupted a two-hour evidence session on rail services to ask, “I take it Transport Scotland is a registered charity?” At the same time, cabinet secretary for economy, tourism and transport Stephen Flynn tried to explain his lack of awareness about a serious methane leak on the Glen Sannox ferry, claiming he had been FaceTiming his children instead of following the news.
These moments have become emblematic of a broader erosion of confidence in devolved politics.
Missteps on the transport committee
Stevenson’s question came after extensive testimony on Scotland’s rail network, yet she appeared unaware that Transport Scotland operates as a non-departmental government body not a charitable organisation.
Graeme Cook, the agency’s director of rail delivery, calmly clarified that Transport Scotland is an agency whose staff are part of the civil service and that it is legally the same entity as the Scottish Government. The exchange highlighted a striking disconnect between a committee member’s responsibilities and her grasp of the institution she was meant to scrutinise.
Flynn’s slip-up unfolded shortly after Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie raised a BBC story about a “significant incident” on the Glen Sannox ferry, where 700 kg of highly flammable methane gas escaped while 82 passengers were aboard. Rather than offering a concise briefing, Flynn admitted he had not seen the piece because he was occupied with a video call to his children. Although he later noted that his predecessor had been briefed and the issue resolved “almost immediately,” the episode reinforced doubts about the minister’s preparedness for his role.
Widening gap in public trust
These incidents arrive at a time when public confidence in Scottish governance is at a historic low. In the inaugural year of devolution, 1999, a whopping 81 per cent of Scots said they trusted their ministers to act in their best interests. Recent polling shows that figure has plummeted to just 47 per cent, a swing that many attribute to a series of high-profile missteps and a perception that politicians are increasingly out of touch. The transport committee blunders have been seized upon as concrete illustrations of that trend.
Beyond the numbers, the gaffes have fueled a narrative that the SNP, once heralded as the party of competent, forward-looking government, is now dominated by “new-generation” politicians whose enthusiasm for the independence cause outpaces their policy expertise. Critics point to a pattern: the party’s ascent was built on a promise of delivering better governance, yet key figures now appear flummoxed by the very institutions they oversee.
Reactions from colleagues and party insiders
Energy minister Stephen Gethins rushed to defend Stevenson, describing her as “a really good colleague and fantastic local advocate.” He stopped short of commenting on the specific query, noting he had not been present in the committee chamber. Gethins also reflected on the broader political culture, suggesting that while some colleagues across the spectrum “could sometimes do with upping their game,” the
Meanwhile, opposition voices, including Willie Rennie, have pressed the government for clearer accountability, especially regarding safety incidents like the Glen Sannox leak. The episode has prompted calls for more robust briefings to ministers before they appear before parliamentary committees, ensuring that they are not caught unaware of critical safety matters.
Ultimately, the day’s events have underscored an uncomfortable truth: when elected officials stumble over basic factual knowledge, the public’s patience wears thin. As the SNP grapples with the fallout, the question remains whether reforms to parliamentary oversight and ministerial preparation will be enough to rebuild the trust that has slipped from an overwhelming majority to less than half of the electorate.
