Terror attacks in Mumbai: Scots 'may be caught up' in Mumbai massacre says Salmond

Published on Thursday 27 November 2008 13:38

EMPLOYEES of Scottish firms may have been caught up in the Mumbai terrorism atrocities, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.

Scottish Government officials have been in contact with the Foreign Office to discover if any Scots were affected.

Mr Salmond, who was speaking at First Minister's Questions in Holyrood, said there had been no confirmation that this was the case.

He told Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray all in Holyrood would want to unite to "condemn" the atrocities.

"There were some indications this morning that some employees of Scottish-based companies could have been caught up in the atrocity," he told MSPs.

"I want to emphasise there is no confirmation of that – indeed at this stage it may just be that some companies were unable to contact their employees because of the overnight situation.

"Officials have been in contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office this morning and there will be ministerial contact this afternoon."

Mr Salmond went on: "I know the chamber will appreciate that regardless of the nationality of those caught up in the atrocity, there will almost certainly be Scottish families with close connections with the area.

"Scottish families will be affected, and I know the Scottish chamber wants to express its solidarity with these families wherever they come from, and unite to condemn this atrocity."

Mr Gray said: "The First Minister knows he has the solidarity of this side of the house for those who are caught up in and those who are dealing with this atrocity."

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