A FIRM whose work on a botched leisure centre was branded "criminal" in Holyrood has been lined up for a series of lucrative contracts revamping Faslane naval base.

Kier Construction is set to help build a host of new facilities and oversee "complex refurbishments on nuclear infrastructure in high security and operational areas".

It was awarded a place on the new £750 million framework as part of a joint venture with the Graham construction firm – just weeks after a damning report found Kier was responsible for a “virtually unprecedented” number of failings at DG One leisure centre in Dumfries.

READ MORE: Botched leisure centre DG One sparks concerns over Scotland's construction industry

Scottish Labour’s economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie MSP said Kier had been “found wanting” and called on the Ministry of Defence to rethink its decision.

She said: “Taxpayers will need urgent assurances that this work by Kier Construction will really represent value for money.

“I would urge the Ministry of Defence to review whether this is the most reliable contractor for this work.”

Kier Graham Defence announced it had been awarded a place on the 10-year Clyde Commercial Framework last week.

It is now one of only three contractors allowed to bid for contracts at HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, home to Britain’s nuclear arsenal.

MoD bosses said the new framework supports a wider, £1.3 billion programme “to ensure that personnel responsible for delivering the UK’s continuous at sea nuclear deterrent are able to live work and train in safe, state of the art facilities”.

It will include contracts to build standalone facilities as well as “complex refurbishments on nuclear infrastructure”, with the construction firms involved expected to “advise and deliver”.

READ MORE: Work carried out by firm behind botched Dumfries leisure centre branded 'criminal'

Kier’s place on the framework comes just weeks after it was heavily criticised for a catalogue of failings during its construction of DG One leisure centre, with its work branded “criminal” by Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth in Holyrood.

An inquiry by Professor John Cole found the facility was so badly built that taxpayers are set to dish out more money repairing the building – which was originally billed as a flagship, high-quality project that would “grow old gracefully” – than it cost to build.

Mr Cole, who also spearheaded the probe into building failures at Edinburgh’s schools, said Kier Northern – now Kier Construction Scotland and North East – was “unquestionably” responsible for the shoddy work.

DG One opened in 2008 at a cost of £17m, but was forced to close just six years later. Since then, vast portions of the facility have had to be demolished and rebuilt, with repairs set to hit £19m.

Critics have called for a criminal inquiry into its construction, and Professor Cole’s report has been passed to the police by council leaders.

A Kier spokeswoman insisted the firm has worked in Scotland for over 40 years, with more than £700m of work successfully completed over the last five years.

She said: "Kier has a leading reputation for safety, efficiency, quality and long-term commitment to our clients and communities and we have invested significantly over the years to ensure our projects are delivered to a high standard.

READ MORE: Botched leisure centre DG One sparks concerns over Scotland's construction industry

"The findings of Professor Cole's report at DG One relate to an incident, delivered by the former Kier Northern's Carlisle office over ten years ago.

“We employ nationally and internationally accredited stringent systems and measures both locally and across our Group operations to ensure high standards of delivery are consistently achieved."

An MoD spokesman said: “Gaining a place on the Clyde Commercial Framework does not guarantee the award of any project, as those decisions are subject to a further round of due diligence and assessment of past performance.”