SNP accused of missing 2012 business deals

THE SNP government has been accused of not doing enough to promote business opportunities for Scottish firms to invest in next year's Olympic Games in London.

Labour MP Tom Greatrex suggested the SNP was taking a negative approach to the London Olympics so that it could instead promote the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Mr Greatrex, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, said he had asked government agency Scottish Enterprise to explain why it had not attracted investment opportunities for Scottish firms in the Olympics.

He said: "There is a real opportunity for Scottish businesses to capitalise on the 2012 Olympics. A significant number in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and elsewhere have already taken advantage and won construction contracts, but it is alarming and disappointing that too many smaller companies in Scotland have not been able to get involved.

"When events have been held in Scotland to promote the opportunities for business, it seems they have not been as successful in attracting businesses to take part.

"I have asked Scottish Enterprise - who had the responsibility to promote those events - why they have not been as successful as those in other parts of the UK.

"It does seem that from some quarters in Scotland all we hear is constant negativity about the Olympics, and a sense of seeking to present the Commonwealth Games as Scotland's answer to the Olympics rather than as complementary events that both build towards an impressive opportunity to promote sport in the UK."

However, SNP MSP John Wilson said the Scottish Government should prioritise the 2014 Glasgow Games over the London event.

Mr Wilson said: "The Commonwealth Games will benefit deprived areas of Glasgow.

"There will also be real economic benefits for Scotland as a whole and it would be a huge mistake to try to focus on the London Olympics instead."