10/08/2026
My investigations have found that, in the context of the Cairngorms wildfire running out of control and having impacted the health and safety of so many, that eight Ford Ranger Ultra-Light Pumping Units, bought in 2023 for £984,000, are still not operational as of June this year.
Now I have written to the Auditor General asking him to look into the procurement.
I said:
“These responses from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are deeply alarming and I believe worthy of further investigation by the Auditor General.
“Firefighters did a remarkable job in fighting the recent wildfires which devastated the Cairngorms and which impacted across the North East, but they didn’t have the resources they needed.
“Serious questions must be asked as to why vehicles which were bought for almost £1million three years ago are still not in use.
“And the whole process appears to be shrouded in secrecy. The SFRS claim they can’t produce minutes of any meetings or any detail about why there is such a delay in these vehicles becoming operational.
“Wildfires like these are going to become more frequent and firefighters cannot be asked to tackle them with one hand tied behind their back.
“They are already at breaking point after years of SNP cuts which have resulted in local station closures and left many unable to access vital equipment.
“I hope the Auditor General agrees with me that the public deserve to know whether this procurement process was handled appropriately and delivered value for the taxpayer.
“Serious questions remain for SNP ministers and those at the very top of the fire service about this situation.”
https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/cairngorms-wildfire-scotlands-top-auditor-told-to-investigate-fire-service-vehicle-purchasing-8837567
