DIAGEO must heed opposition to closure plans - Brown and Baxendale

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 15th Aug 2009

Commenting ahead of attending a cross-party meeting aimed at saving the jobs threatened by the closing of two Diageo plants in Scotland, Liberal Democrat Glasgow MSP Robert Brown said: "Diageo have to heed the wide-spread opposition to their plans in Scotland. They must take account of the fact that they are proposing to close long established and sustainable plants with minimum consultation.

"This is true not least of the facility in Post Dundas, which has been producing whisky through economic thick and thin times for many years.

"A considerable number of skilled and loyal tradesmen will lose their jobs if the closure plan is allowed to go ahead. This kind of loss to the Scottish workforce cannot be overstated

Glasgow North East by-election Candidate Eileen Baxendale added;

"I know from working in the area how important Diageo is to the local economy. The decision to close the plant is a sort sighted one, and the company will come to regret the loss of a skilled and experienced workforce if the closure is allowed to go ahead.

"I will continue to voice my opposition to these plans."