Brown: Diageo need to explain their decision

5.10.46pm GMT Wed 17th Mar 2010

Commenting ahead of evidence given to MSPs by the head of drinks giant Diageo after the firm’s decision to axe 900 jobs last year, Glasgow Liberal Democrat Robert Brown MSP said:

“We were hugely disappointed when Diageo rejected an alternative to restructuring plans and announced that 900 jobs would be lost at the Port Dundas Distillery in Glasgow and the Johnnie Walker Plant in Kilmarnock as a result.

“The head of Diageo needs to be called to account as to why he rejected the government backed restructuring programme.

“He must explain how Diageo are going to support regeneration for these affected communities in Glasgow and Kilmarnock as they struggle with massive job losses in a very difficult financial time.

“We also need real action from the Scottish and UK Governments to get people in Glasgow and Kilmarnock back into work as quickly as possible.”