Minister defends MSP colleague after transport committee blunder

Energy Minister Stephen Gethins rallied behind MSP Collette Stevenson after she mistakenly questioned whether the national transport agency operated as a charitable organization during a legislative hearing.

The controversy unfolded during a Wednesday morning session of the transport committee. After roughly two hours of detailed testimony regarding Scotland's rail services, Stevenson interrupted proceedings to pose the query. According to reporting from the BBC, Stevenson asked:

"I take it Transport Scotland is a registered charity?"

Media additions

Collette Stevenson, MSP, via BBC

The question prompted an immediate intervention from the agency's leadership. Graeme Cook, director of rail delivery for Transport Scotland, stepped in to set the record straight before the meeting concluded. Cook explained that the organization functions as a non-departmental government body, noting that all staff members form part of the civil service and that the agency shares the exact legal entity status of the Scottish government itself.

Appearing on BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast, presenter Martin Geissler pressed Energy Minister Stephen Gethins on whether it was reasonable to expect a sitting transport committee member to understand the fundamental legal structure of Transport Scotland. Gethins answered:

"It is, but I do not want to prejudge something I have not seen and when I was not actually sitting on the committee."

Stephen Gethins, Energy Minister, via BBC

Despite acknowledging the validity of the question, Gethins staunchly defended his colleague's overall track record. He described Stevenson as a strong local advocate and a dedicated member, noting that he would not judge a situation he did not personally witness. Stevenson has represented East Kilbride since arriving at the parliament, and her legislative duties extend beyond transport issues. Alongside her transport committee commitments, she also sits on the equality, human rights and civil justice committee, while acting as a substitute member of the delegated powers and law reform committee. Her previous parliamentary work includes questioning officials on the Clyde Metro development, a major initiative stemming directly from Transport Scotland's strategic transport review.

Gethins utilized the defense to draw comparisons with the legislative chamber where he previously served. Having worked as an MP, the minister argued that standards across parliamentary bodies can vary significantly. He remarked:

"At Westminster, where they get paid a whole lot more than they do in the Scottish parliament, they could sometimes do with upping their game and that's something I saw daily."

Stephen Gethins, Energy Minister, via BBC

He added that while politicians are often expected to comment on events they did not witness, he preferred to avoid doing so.

Stevenson's blunder is the latest during a Scottish Parliament transport committee meeting after Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said he was unaware that a faulty valve on a CalMac ferry led to a sudden and uncontrolled release of highly flammable methane gas last summer.

Addressing committee convenor Willie Rennie regarding the hazardous incident, Flynn stated:

"The specific news story to which you are referring is one I would have to go and familiarise myself with. I wasn't listening or watching the BBC this morning, convenor.... I didn't see the news because I was Facetiming my kids - but that is a different matter."

Stephen Flynn, Transport Secretary, via BBC

Flynn later clarified his predecessor was briefed about the gas leak after it happened and the issue was resolved "almost immediately".

Official / Representative	Role / Constituency	Committee Context	Reported Incident
Collette Stevenson	SNP MSP for East Kilbride	Transport Committee / Equality Committee	Asked if Transport Scotland was a registered charity
Stephen Flynn	Transport Secretary	Transport Committee Witness	Admitted unawareness of a CalMac ferry methane gas leak
Stephen Gethins	Energy Minister	Government Minister	Defended Stevenson on radio while noting Westminster pay disparities