GRAY and BAILLIE PUT PARTY POLITICS BEFORE PUBLIC HEALTH

GRAY & BAILLIE PUT PARTY POLITICS BEFORE PUBLIC HEALTH

LABOUR WILL PAY HEAVY PRICE FOR BOOZE BLUNDER

Commenting on reports that Labour has decided to vote against minimum pricing of alcohol before the Scottish Government's alcohol bill is even published, and even before hearing expert evidence, Dr Ian McKee - a member of the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee - said:

"Iain Gray and Jackie Baillie are putting party politics before public health in Scotland.

"This crass and opportunistic decision is an enormous error of judgement by the Labour party, for which they will pay a heavy political price.

"This blunder will be greeted with fury by Scotland's police officers, it will be greeted with fury by the country's health professionals, and above all it will be greeted by fury by people in communities across Scotland which are blighted by cheap booze fueled anti-social behaviour.

"It will also be greeted with great unease among Labour MSPs and members, many of whom are enthusiastic supporters of minimum pricing.

"There are 3,000 deaths every year in Scotland caused by alcohol misuse and Labour doesn't seem to care..

"Labour have buckled under pressure from the supermarkets and big busness - Iain Gray and Jackie Bailiie should hang their heads in shame."