CONCERN OVER NEW DIAGEO BOTTLING THREAT.

CONCERN OVER NEW DIAGEO BOTTLING THREAT.

GLASGOW MSP TO MEET DIAGEO OVER PORT DUNDAS JOBS,

Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris will this week meet with Diageo to discuss the
proposed closure of the Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow with the
potential loss of 200 jobs.

Bob Doris and his Kilmarnock colleague Willie Coffey are campaigning to
reverse Diageo’s decision to shut facilities in Scotland with a loss of
900 jobs.

The meeting follows comments in the Sunday Times from Diageo Scotland’s
managing director that Diageo could move bottling facilities out of
Scotland.

Speaking in the Sunday Times Brian Donaghey said; “Scotch has to be
distilled and matured in Scotland but it doesn’t have to be bottled in
Scotland.”

Mr Doris said;

“The public response to these job losses has been overwhelming – yet it
seems there is still more to do before Diageo get the message.

“As Brian Donaghey acknowledges a large part of Whisky’s value comes from
it’s Scotch heritage. To throw away first the local heritage and then to
suggest bottling whisky overseas will do Diageo more harm than good.

“I will be meeting Diageo this week to put the case for Port Dundas to
remain open and to ensure those working at Port Dundas receive proper
treatment from the company.

"It is vital that in Glasgow as in Kilmarnock the battle to keep Diageo
jobs is fought as a united front with all parties, the Scottish
Government, Scottish Enterprise and the Local council working together for
Glasgow’s and Scotland’s jobs.”

SNP MSP Willie Coffey whose petition against the closure of Johnnie Walker
has received over 2000 signatures online with atleast a further 2000
connected in Kilmarnock itself said;

“The response from the public in Kilmarnock and across the country has
been tremendous.

“It is ludicrous that Diageo are talking about the possibility of moving
other facilities out of Scotland, when Whisky and Scotland are so
intrinsically linked. This is not just any other product that can be under threat?