THE new chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne sailed into a storm yesterday, with Labour attacking his appointment as ``straight out of the old boys' network''.
Rear Admiral Neil Rankin, who retired after a 37-year naval career two weeks ago, will take up the #18,000 a year part-time post at the beginning of next month, Scottish Secretary Michael Forsyth announced yesterday.
Labour's transport spokes-man, Mr Brian Wilson, immediately condemned the appoint- ment to the Government-owned ferry company. He said: ``This is another Forsyth appointment straight out of the old boys' network. It puts in perspective the boasts about opening up the quango system.
``There were excellent candidates from within the CalMac area but, since not one of the constituencies served by the company elects a Tory MP they were probably ruled out on the grounds of political unreliability.''
Mr Wilson added: ``For most of the last 17 years, the Tories have been trying to privatise CalMac by the front and back doors. At present, they are obstructing the company's expansion.
``Rear Admiral Rankin will have to decide quickly whether he is there to represent Tory prejudices against a public sector success story or if he is prepared to speak out in support of CalMac and its potential for expansion.'' A Scottish Office spokesman denied the Government had any plans to privatise CalMac and added: ``We are currently experimenting with new services and are about to put out to tender for a new 90 car ferry.''
However, Rear Admiral Rankin appears to have no previous connection with the communities served by CalMac. The only west coast credential the Scottish Office could find to commend him is his membership of the Clan MacLean society.
Rear Admiral Rankin, 55, who currently lives in Somerset, promised he would be a ``hands on'' chairman and said he intended to travel all the CalMac routes to speak to the islanders who use and are served by the company's services.
He said: ``We are not going to sit back. We are going to continue to improve and, where possible, make the services more efficient.
``We are very customer orientated and are very aware of our community responsibility and the fact they rely on our services. We will take note of what they say and where possible hope to fill their needs.''
His appointment is for a three-year period and is geared to him working one-and-a-half days a week. However, he said: ``I am not a clock watcher. If the job means putting in more hours then I will do so.''
Scots-born Rear Admiral Rankin CB, CBE, who is married with two grown-up children, intends to move to the Edinburgh area.
During his naval career, he commanded HMS Ark Royal, and was Commander British Forces Falkland Islands from August until October 1991, when he took up his final naval post as Flag Officer Portsmouth.
He is also a pilot and was the first Royal Navy pilot to qualify on the Harrier jump jet. A keen golfer, he also enjoys sailing and rugby.
His new command at the helm of CalMac will see him take charge of 900 staff and a fleet of 31 vessels which are financed by an #11m Scottish Office subsidy.
He succeeds Mr Archie Gilchrist, who was appointed interim chairman following the departure in March of Mr Graeme Crombie, who resigned after a year to devote more time to other business interests in America and Canada.
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