'Kilmarnock's heart will be ripped out if Diageo jobs go'

Published on Wednesday 15 July 2009 22:12

ALLOWING the Johnnie Walker whisky factory to leave Kilmarnock would be like letting the ravens leave the Tower of London, MPs were told last night.

Des Browne, the former Scottish secretary and Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, warned the heart would be ripped out of the Ayrshire town if Diageo pressed ahead with plans to shed 700 jobs as part of a restructuring in Scotland. A further 200 jobs are at risk at the Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow, though about 400 jobs are likely to be created in Leven, Fife.

Mr Browne told MPs that the loss of the Johnnie Walker factory after a link with Kilmarnock dating to 1820 would be akin to the ravens leaving the Tower – which, according to legend, risks the downfall of the monarchy.

He said the restructuring plan "has nothing to do with the recession and everything to do with Diageo positioning themselves in the global market for the next decade or so".

Diageo told a private meeting of MPs on the Scottish affairs committee at Westminster yesterday that it aimed to save 20 million by closing the outdated Kilmarnock plant.

The company has promised to consider any offer the Scottish Government makes to entice it to stay in Kilmarnock, but MPs think little will prompt a change of mind.

Mr Browne said positive news had to result from a meeting next week between Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh and First Minister Alex Salmond, who will present the rescue package to the firm.

Mr Salmond said he would take part in a demonstration in Kilmarnock on 26 July against the job cuts.

Meanwhile it also emerged yesterday that Diageo had agreed to extend, if necessary, a 90-day consultation on the proposals.

The disclosure came after MPs on the Scottish affairs committee, chaired by Mohammad Sarwar, met Diageo bosses in London.

Mr Sarwar, Labour MP for Glasgow Central, said: "We had a frank and open discussion where we made the concerns of the trade unions and workforce clear.

"We were particularly concerned that the 90-day consultation falls within the summer holidays when many families are away – we asked them to extend the consultation period. The management said that if proper consultation had not been achieved at the end of 90 days, they would be happy to do this if needed."