LOCAL MSP COMMENTS ON WHISKY JOBS MARCH

LOCAL MSP COMMENTS ON WHISKY JOBS MARCH

Commenting on today's march in Kilmarnock to protest against Diageo's plans to lay off 900 workers the local MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Willie Coffey, said the turnout was an indication of the strength of feeling across Scotland against the company's decision.

Mr Coffey has already initiated an online petition against the Kilmarnock job losses which has burst through the 10,000 mark.

Mr Coffey, who launched the petition at an all party event with Kilmarnock Football Club, said:

"The response to this march reflects the response to the petition I initiated. It shows the level of concern about Diageo's plans.

"This march gives local people and others across Ayrshire and Scotland the chance to show Diageo what they think of their decision to close Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock after 189 years.

"The message that Diageo seems to have forgotten is that customers across the world DO value Johnnie Walker's close connection with Kilmarnock.

“They may have lost sight of the value of this but an increasing number of customers across the world are giving Diageo the message - keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock."