GRAY SACRIFICES JOBS UNITY

GRAY SACRIFICES JOBS UNITY

GRAY PREVENTS MSPS FROM RAISING SERIOUS REDUNDANCY ISSUES

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson has condemned Iain Grays questioning at FMQs today for sacrificing the united front to first prevent job losses in Ayrshire and to secure the best deal for workers now facing redundancy.

SNP MSP for Kilmarnock Willie Coffey also expressed his annoyance that Iain Gray’s refusal to ask a question when prompted by the Presiding Officer – instead continuing to speak - meant both he and Livingston MSP Angela Constance were unable to raise the issue of redundancies in their constituency with the First Minister during question time.

Mr Gibson said:

“As someone who has participated in the campaign to save Diageo jobs and whose constituents are closely involved in the Johnnie Walker plant at Kilmarnock and the Ayrshire economy I am deeply disappointed that Iain Gray opted for party political attacks rather than concentrating on winning the best deal for Diageo workers.

“I, my SNP colleagues and the Scottish Government will continue to work in the best interests of the workers at Diageo in Kilmarnock, Hurlford and Port Dundas – it is for Iain Gray to decide if he now wishes to put party politics ahead of the economic future of Scottish communities.”

Willie Coffey added:

“I and my Livingston colleague Angela Constance wished to raise the impending redundancies in our constituencies with the First Minister so employees could hear directly the help and support being made by available by the Scottish Government to them at this difficult time.

“Iain Gray’s long winded and rambling questions made it impossible for the First Minister to give short answers and as a result important constituency questions could not be raised. “