GRAY DIAGEO HYPOCRISY EXPOSED

LABOUR LEADER FAILS TO PUT JOBS BEFORE PARTY POLITICS

Labour leader Iain Gray’s hypocrisy in his attempts to attack the Scottish Government over Diageo has been exposed as an interview with the Scotsman – prior to the Diageo announcement this week – reveals he would have taken part in the march for jobs – despite attacking the First Minister for it.

In the interview he also welcomed the efforts of John Swinney and the First Minister to produce an alternative plan to Diageo’s Kilmarnock closure.

Reported in the Scotsman today Mr Gray said:

"I would have gone on the protest march as first minister.

"Labour's take on this has been to work with the trade unions. That's why I probably would have gone on the protest march because the trade unions were a big part of organising that."

He added: "John Swinney and the First Minister have got involved in the campaign and they have made sure that Scottish Enterprise has worked to try and produce the alternative plan."

SNP MSP for North Ayrshire Kenneth Gibson, who took part in the campaign against Diageo’s closure plans said:

“These comments expose the utter hypocrisy of Iain Gray’s actions in Parliament. Fighting for jobs in Scotland should always come before party politicking, and that is the test Iain Gray keeps on failing.

“Labour must, like the Scottish Government, focus on working with the taskforce, the trade unions and the company to ensure the best deal for those workers and for Kilmarnock who are now facing up to a future without Johnnie Walker.”

“Instead Iain Gray decided to attack Mr Salmond for attending a rally which he himself said he would have gone to had he been First Minister.

"Iain Gray has no idea what direction he or his party are facing. He is fumbling his way through leadership and letting his party down. It's not just that he doesn't seem to know what he or his party believe from one day to the next, he cannot remember what he has said from one day to the next.

“After his poorly judged response to the Megrahi case, Iain Gray has once again displayed why he is not Scotland’s First Minister.”

BACKING FOR BAUSCH AND LOMB WORKERS WELCOMED

SNP MSP Angela Constance has welcomed the commitment of the Scottish Government to workers at the Bausch and Lomb plant in Livingston.

Responding to comments by the First Minister during Question Time today about Scottish jobs, and earlier comments from Lord Foulkes Ms Constance said:

“I welcome the commitment from the Scottish Government to support Scottish jobs such as the workers at Bausch and Lomb as well as the work that was put in prior to the company’s announcement last week.

“I joined John Swinney at Bausch and Lomb on Monday at meetings with the company, and with the local authority and Chamber of Commerce to discuss how we can all ensure future employment for workers at the plant.

“There is a real determination among all those involved in the Livingston economy to support those employees now facing unemployment, to explore all alternatives and to use the coming months to ensure there is a viable future for them in Livingston.”

Responding to earlier comments from Lord Foulkes Ms Constance said:

“Now he has met John Swinney I hope Lord Foulkes will moderate his earlier comments about the situation in Livingston.

“Bausch and Lomb have already said to me they will repay any public money they received in the past. As West Lothian Chamber of Commerce have made clear if some politicians had paid more attention to West Lothian in the past we may not have lost our EU status.

“We would be able to continue to invest money in attracting businesses in the same way Ireland still can.”

SNP MSPs COMMENT ON DIAGEO ANNOUNCEMENT

DIAGEO DECISION WILL DEVASTATE KILMARNOCK

DISAPPOINTMENT OVER PORT DUNDAS DECISION

SNP MSPs Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock & Loudoun) and Bob Doris (Glasgow) have commented on the announcement made by Diageo today that they will press ahead with cutting up to 900 jobs at its Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock and Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow.

Kilmarnock SNP MSP Willie Coffey said Diageo’s decision to go ahead with the closure of Johnnie Walker plant, with the loss of 700 jobs in the town, will devastate Kilmarnock.

Mr Coffey condemned the decision which ends a 200 year link between Johnnie Walker and Kilmarnock, the town where it was founded.

He welcomed reassurances from John Swinney that the taskforce will be reconvened to discuss a response to the closure and the economic future for Kilmarnock.

Mr Coffey said:

“This is a devastating blow for an intensely loyal workforce in Kilmarnock.

"Kilmarnock is an integral part of Johnnie Walker Whisky, without its Kilmarnock roots there is no Johnnie Walker.

"When Diageo are making billions of pounds of profits it simply beggars belief that they would shut down plants and sacrifice workers.

“Diageo are ignoring the pleas of tens of thousands of people and customers who do not want Johnnie Walker to walk away from Kilmarnock.

“To reject completely out of hand the proposals developed by Scottish Enterprise, East Ayrshire and all parties casts doubt on Diageo’s willingness to listen in the first place.

“It has been clear throughout the last few months that they had no real intention of listening to any alternative plan.

“Diageo have behaved shamefully throughout this process.

“If they are now to walk away from Killie, Diageo owe it to the town and the workers to contribute to the regeneration of the area and the creation of new jobs.

“I welcome John Swinney’s commitment to Kilmarnock, the Scottish Government has stood by the workers throughout and that commitment has not gone unnoticed.

“No one wants to face a future in Kilmarnock without Johnnie Walker – but we must now work together ensure that future is as bright as possible.”

Glasgow MSP Bob Doris also expressed his disappointment at Diageo’s decision to close the Port Dundas distillery.

The closure could mean the loss of 200 jobs in the city and comes despite a cross party campaign to preserve the jobs and intense efforts by the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise to present an alternative plan for Diageo.

Mr Doris said:

“With profits of £2.5 billion last year it will be difficult for workers to understand why Diageo are closing plants and losing jobs.

“Workers at Port Dundas have shown real commitment to Diageo and there will be deep disappointment that Diageo have reached this devastating decision.

“The efforts of the campaign, the trade unions and the Diageo taskforce to put forward an alternative proposal which had cross party support have shown the Government’s clear commitment to Glasgow’s jobs.

“We must now move quickly to plan for those redundancies and to ensure alternative employment and support is put in place straight away.”

MSP WELCOMES MOVES TO PROTECT STORNOWAY BLACK PUDDING

Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today welcomed new moves by the Scottish Government to help protect the identity of iconic Scottish produce, including Stornoway's Black Pudding or Marag Dubh, against imitations.

Action was announced today by Environment Secretary, Richard Lochhead, to help extend the list of Scottish foods enjoying Protected Food Name (PFN) status by bringing together producers currently registered as PFNs with those hoping to secure that status in the future.

Commenting Dr Allan said:

“This is welcome news for Marag and for all those who produce it in my constituency. The Scottish Government is clearly willing to assist any local producer who wishes to seek protection for the brand at a European level.

“Increasingly one of the Hebrides selling points is its range of food and drinks and today’s announcement shows the Government recognises the importance of this.”

POLL SHOWS DARLING SHOULD CUT TRIDENT NOT FRONTLINE PUBLIC SPENDING

OPINION POLL PUTS TRIDENT’S FINANCIAL FOLLY FIRMLY INTO FOCUS

As Chancellor Alistair Darling confirms Labour public spending cuts in a speech in Cardiff, the SNP seized on an opinion poll published today showing massive opposition to the Labour government wasting cash on a new generation of nuclear weapons, and called on the Chancellor to focus cuts on ‘white elephant’ projects like Trident and ID cards - and rule out real terms cuts by the Labour government in Scottish spending.

The ComRes poll for The Independent showed that the public overwhelmingly wants the government to scrap the Trident nuclear missile system and believes spending on health and education should be protected and rise each year.

Commenting SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said:

"The SNP have a simple suggestion for Alistair Darling to cut his spending - abandon plans to spend £25 billion on a nuclear missile system we do not want or need and the vast majority do not want.

“With the debate about Westminster government cuts raging, this ComRes poll lays bare the incoherence of spending plans that include Trident.

“The position of Labour and the Tories in arguing for Trident is untenable in these difficult financial times.

“Labour must focus its cuts on unnecessary and unaffordable white elephant projects like Trident and ID cards – and in the teeth of recession Labour must rule-out slashing front-line services like health and education, and capital investment.

“The Prime Minister and Chancellor attack the Tories for planning cuts in UK spending and yet Labour are doing the exact same in Scotland . The Budget confirmed Labour’s plans for the first real terms cut in Scottish spending since the dark days of the Tory government in the 1990’s. It will mean a real terms cut in Scottish spending, and is the wrong choice in the middle of the recession.

“The SNP want the required savings to be made by the UK Government abandoning its foolhardy £25 billion plan to replace the Trident nuclear missile, saving up to £100 billion over its lifetime. And we are also calling on Labour to completely drop their proposals to spend billions on unwanted and unnecessary ID cards.

“The UK Government’s catastrophic financial failure underlines the need for Scotland to have responsibility to run our own affairs – with the ability to take the decisions needed to reflate our economy, contribute to recovery, and overcome the Downing Street downturn.”

LABOUR PUT VULNERABLE ADULTS RIGHTS AT RISK

COMMITTEE VOTE CREATES “SLOPPING OUT” SITUATION

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie has condemned a vote by Labour and the Lib Dems to deprive vulnerable adults within the Children’s Hearing system of legal support to enable them to participate fully in proceedings. The vote leaves the Scottish Government and the Children’s Hearing system in potential breach of European Human Rights Law.

The Scottish Government was seeking to ensure the system is compliant with European Human Rights Legislation by ensuring parents who may not be able to follow proceedings – for example due to mental disability in cases where their children may be taken from them – have access to state funded legal advice.

Legal support is already allowed within the system – but state support for those whose circumstances make representation essential, was not previously available.

The Scottish Government had introduced the measure during the summer, in light of a court case currently before the Court of Session, bringing the system into line with ECHR - however Parliamentary approval is required for it to continue. The decision of opposition members on the Education Committee to vote to annul the statutory instrument now puts the hearing’s system and it’s members facing a potential breach of Human Rights legislation.

Education Committee Ms McKelvie said:

“I am deeply disappointed with the actions of my fellow committee members. This should be about children not politics.

“By voting this move down opposition parties leave Scotland facing a slopping out situation all over again where the opportunity to correct a human rights wrong is not taken and the decisions of the Children’s panel and the actions of the government could be subject to review, appeal and compensation cases.

“Labour and the Lib Dems have voted to remove support for vulnerable people to participate in fundamental decisions over the future of their families.

“Participants in the Children’s Hearing system have long been entitled to legal representation and despite acknowledging that circumstances exist where state support for vulnerable adults is appropriate opposition politicians continued to vote against the Government’s move to put that representation in place. Now legal representation is only available to those who can afford it, not those whose circumstances mean they need it.

“They have acted with complete disregard to EU human rights legislation and to the consequences of their decision.

"This is about caring for people in poverty facing major decisions on their families future – it is a real condemnation of how far Labour and the Lib Dems have come from their principles that they would vote this measure down.

“By playing politics with sensitive issues opposition politicians have put the Children’s hearing system and it’s decisions at risk and created a slopping out mark two situation."

CHANCELLOR SHOULD TAKE OWN ADVICE ON CUTS

SPENDING CUTS RISK CHOKING OFF RECOVERY

SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP has called on the Chancellor to act on his own advice after Alistair Darling, delivering the Callaghan lecture in Cardiff today, warned cutting public spending now would risk "choking off" the recovery and prolonging the downturn.

Mr Hosie pointed out that Scotland faces a real terms cut to its Budget of £500m from 20010/11 as a result of Labour cuts.

Mr Hosie said:

“Alistair Darling needs to put his money where his mouth is and rule out Labour’s planned spending cuts to Scotland ’s budget. The Chancellor is absolutely right that cutting frontline spending now risks choking off recovery and prolonging the downturn – and he needs to act on his own advice.

“Now that Alistair Darling has admitted that cutting public spending before the recession has ended is the wrong thing to do, he must acknowledge the reality of his party’s damaging cuts agenda.

“Labour are planning to raid Scotland ’s health, education and housing budgets by forcing the first real terms cut in Scotland ’s public expenditure since the Tories in the 1990s.

“In contrast, the Scottish Government is focussed on investing in recovery from recession - today launching a skills support package to provide real financial support to businesses and individuals through the recession.

“Alistair Darling’s double standards show exactly why Scotland needs to be responsible for all of our own resources, with an independent Scottish Parliament controlling all revenue and spending in Scotland .”

PM MUST CLARIFY UK GOVERNMENT POSITION ON AL-MEGRAHI

The Prime Minister has been urged to clarify the UK Government’s position on the Scottish Justice Secretary’s decision to reject the Prisoner Transfer application and release Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds, after Children’s Secretary Ed Balls contradicted previous statements made by UK Ministers, including the Foreign Secretary.

SNP Westminster leader and Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angus Robertson MP called on Gordon Brown to clarify his position after Mr Balls – speaking on the BBC Today Programme – said: “none of us [the UK Government] wanted to see the release of Al-Megrahi.”

Mr Balls remarks conflict with previous statements by the Prime Minister who said that he ‘respects’ the Scottish Government’s decision, and the Today interview by the Foreign Secretary last Wednesday confirming the position communicated to the Libyans by Bill Rammell, that UK Ministers “did not want him to die in prison”.

Commenting, Mr Robertson said:

“The Prime Minister must make a clear statement setting out exactly where his government actually stands. Ed Balls’ comments contradict previous statements by the Foreign Secretary, and add to the confusion that has engulfed Downing Street .

“Ed Balls’ comments are totally at odds with Bill Rammell’s claim that neither Gordon Brown nor David Miliband wanted Megrahi to die in a Scottish jail – since confirmed by the Foreign Secretary.

“In rejecting the Prisoner Transfer application and granting compassionate release to send al-Megrahi back to Libya to die, Scotland’s Justice Secretary made the right decision for the right reasons - and one which is attracting widespread and growing support, as this weekend’s YouGov poll which puts the SNP 8 points ahead of Labour demonstrates.”

TORIES ALLY WITH LABOUR TO SAVAGELY CUT SCOTTISH SPENDING

GOLDIE RENEGES ON PROMISE TO LIMIT CUTS IN SCOTLAND

"WHERE WILL TORY-LABOUR ALLIANCE MAKE THEIR CUTS?"

The Tories in Scotland have reneged on a promise to limit Scottish spending cuts to £28 million and are now backing Labour's plans for £500 million says SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee.

Yesterday Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie demanded that £500 million of cuts be identified in Scottish public spending - a figure supported by the Labour party.

This is in direct contradiction to their statement in January when they said that their plans had been drawn up in such a way that Scotland would only have to find £28 million of cuts because they would not affect health and education spending south of the border. (The Scottish budget is determined by spending in departments south of the border under the Barnett Formula.

Commenting Mr FitzPatrick said:

"Annabel Goldie's confirmation yesterday that she now wants to support Labour's plans for £500 million in spending cuts only confirms our previous concerns that the Tories would renege on their promise to limit cuts to £28 million.

"With Annabel Goldie now confirming she is supporting Labour's cuts she now has to follow her own advice and come clean. She has to explain why she has reneged on that promise not to cut spending by £500 million?

"And she and her Labour allies must also say where they will make their planned cuts. That the Tories plan £500 million cuts means that both they and Labour will cut spending to frontline services in health and education in Scotland.

"However they have not identified one area to cut despite calling for details from others. In fact both have been calling for more spending over this very weekend!

"If both were truly standing up for Scotland's public services they would be opposing these cuts like the SNP.

"They would both be agreeing with the SNP that the best way to save the tax payers cash is to dump the multi-billion Trident nuclear missile programme and the last vestiges of ID card, instead of cutting jobs and services.

“And with the latest GERS analysis showing Scotland in budget surplus – with a surplus of some £2.3 billion in the past three years - it beggars belief that two parties in the Scottish Parliament would be following their London bosses' cuts agenda.

"Rather than pay the price for the UK's mismanagement of our economy, the Westminster cuts make it absolutely clear why Scotland needs to gain responsibility for all of own tax and spending with independence.”

LABOUR LEADER REMAINS THE "INVISIBLE MAN"

FEWER THAN 40% OF LABOUR VOTERS WANT “INVISIBLE MAN” FOR FIRST MINISTER

Labour leader Iain Gray has admitted that he has not connected with the public and the voters are not connecting with Labour as polling shows the SNP maintaining a lead in opinion polls and that fewer than 40% of Labour voters think Iain Gray would be a good First Minister.

In an interview with the Scotsman Gray accepts that people do not know who he is, despite having held the leadership of Labour for 12 months - ignoring the fact he was also a minister in the previous Scottish Executive.

His comments support recent polling by YouGov which showed First Minister Alex Salmond was three times as popular as all other Scottish party leaders combined and that Iain Gray was supported by only 12% of those polled – only 1% more than Scotland’s Conservative leader Annabel Goldie.

Even amongst Labour voters the poll shows fewer than 40% want Iain Gray to be First Minister.

In his interview Mr Gray states: “There’s no hiding the fact I need to raise my profile.”

Commenting on Iain Gray’s interview and the poll figures SNP MSP and Convener of the SNP group Gil Paterson said:

“Far from being new Iain Gray has had a year as Labour leader in the Scottish Parliament to get known and to win support. He also had four years as a Government Minister. If he cannot make his mark now, when will he?

“Instead of winning new voters fewer than 40% of his party’s voters want Iain Gray as First Minister.

“It will be deeply disturbing for Labour that their leader is Scotland’s invisible man.

“And as performances and polls in the last week have shown Iain Gray has failed to make a positive impact on Scottish politics. In contrast the Scottish Government has taken tough decisions and set out a forward thinking agenda for Scotland with the continued support of the Scottish people.

“Instead of carping from the sidelines Iain Gray might make more progress with a positive approach to the SNP Government and a willingness to give the Scottish public their constitutional say over Scotland’s future.

“It is a stark contrast for Labour to consider that after a year of Iain Gray’s negative efforts at leadership Alex Salmond’s ratings are three times higher than those of the Labour or Tory leaders in Scotland, and as a poll this weekend shows the SNP is maintaining an 8 point lead over
Labour in the Holyrood polls. "

STRAW CONFIRMS BP OIL DEAL PART OF LIBYAN PTA

“MACASKILL RIGHT TO REJECT TAINTED PTA”

Commenting on an interview with Jack Straw in which he accepts that trade deals including a BP oil deal resulted in the UK Government switching position and including Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi in a Prisoner Transfer Agreement with Libya, having previously agreed with the Scottish Government that he should be excluded from the PTA, SNP MP and Westminster Leader Angus Robertson said:

"The Prisoner Transfer Agreement was always tainted – Jack Straw is now admitting it – and Kenny MacAskill was absolutely right to reject the PTA application. Jack Straw's admission that trade was at the heart of the UK Government’s actions over al-Megrahi confirms the wisdom of the Scottish Government in opposing this Prisoner Transfer Agreement from the start, and of the Justice Secretary in rejecting the application.

"In contrast to the UK Government’s dodgy deal in the desert, Scotland’s Justice Secretary made his decision to grant compassionate release to send al-Megrahi back to Libya to die on judicial grounds alone, according to the due process of Scots Law. Kenny Macaskill made the right decision for the right reasons, which is why support has surged forward to 45%, while opposition has fallen to the same level.”

PM MUST RETHINK NOT RE-STATE AFGHAN STRATEGY

Commenting after the Prime Minister delivered a speech on Afghanistan this afternoon (Friday) SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP repeated calls for a rethink of UK strategy warning that a re-statement of the mission was not enough to convince people that the best strategy was being pursued.

Mr Robertson, who visited forces on the frontline in Afghanistan earlier this year, has repeatedly called for a strategic review of operations and objectives.

Mr Robertson said:

“If Gordon Brown wants to convince people the best course is being pursued he must rethink strategy, not just re-state it. The fact is, the prime minister cannot convince his own MPs the best strategy is being pursued, never mind the public or our forces themselves.

“Gordon Brown does not seem to recognise that we need a major rethink to win hearts and minds here at home as well as the support of people in Afghanistan .

“That strategic review of operations must convince people that a proper strategy and proper objectives are being pursued with the likelihood of success. Right now people are not even sure that our forces are getting the equipment they need to do the job.

“The Taliban were meant to have been defeated eight years ago, but after operations exceeding the length of the Second World War, the fact that fighting has gotten worse underlines the folly of the Labour government's decision to take us into Iraq . Distracted by the Iraq quagmire, the government took its eye off the ball in Afghanistan .

“Now, the awful toll of military personnel killed in Afghanistan , along with questions over the legitimacy of the Afghan elections, has left people asking just what our forces are fighting for.

“It is time we had a major rethink that looks at all the options, and that will give people, not least our troops themselves, the confidence that the right strategy is being pursued and is achievable.”

EXTRA FUNDING FOR GAELIC LANGUAGE

A Glasgow MSP has welcomed today's announcement by the Scottish Government today that an extra £500 thousand will be made available to Glasgow in order to increase the provision of Gaelic in Glasgow.

The extra funding will be used to renovate classrooms and increase sport provision at the Glasgow Gaelic School.

Since moving to its new premises in 2006 the Glasgow Gaelic School has seen a huge increase in student numbers from Glasgow and throughout the central belt of Scotland as the demand for Gaelic education has grown.

Commenting on the announcement Sandra White MSP for the Glasgow Region said:

"This is fantastic news for the school and its pupils, who have worked hard to make Glasgow Gaelic school the huge success story that it is and this extra funding will now allow the school to push forward with the plans it has"

"The success of the school is a great testament to the enduring demand for Gaelic in Glasgow and it my hope that we can now build upon what we have already achieved and ensure that Gaelic continues to flourish in Scotland"

LIVINGSTON MSP COMMENTS ON BAUSCH & LOMB JOB LOSSES

Bausch and Lomb, contact lens manufacturers and major employer in the Livingston area have today announced the loss of 500 jobs. It is anticipated that the Livingston site will close in 18 months although a 90 day consultation period on the American company's intentions will commence.

Commenting after the announcement today Livingston MSP Angela Constance said:

"I am deeply saddened by the announcement today by Bausch and Lomb that they will shed 500 jobs. This is a blow for the local economy and the 500 strong workforce who are highly committed, skilled and productive.

"Bausch and Lomb have a long history with Livingston and will now enter a consultation period and do not intend to close the site for 18 months. As a matter of urgency I will be speaking to the Chief Executive of Bausch and Lomb today.

"It has already been indicated by the company that they will consider any proposals put forward by the Scottish Government during the consultation period. I will meet with company representatives, visit the site to speak with staff and make representations to both the Scottish Government and West Lothian Council.

"I want to make sure that everything possible that can be done will be done for the workforce.

"As closure is not imminent I want to ensure that all options other than closure have been fully explored and to establish what opportunities exist to mitigate this colossal job loss".

JOYCE RESIGNATION PILES PRESSURE ON BROWN

Commenting on the resignation of Eric Joyce as PPS to the Defence Secretary, Westminster SNP Leader and Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP said:

"Pressure is mounting on Gordon Brown to treat our armed forces properly and reassess his failing Afghan strategy.

"Eric Joyce should have resigned a long time ago given the atrocious treatment our servicemen and women have endured from Labour over a long period of time.

"Since Labour came to power in 1997 they have cut the number of military personnel and bases throughout Scotland and his resignation just highlights that litany of failure."

JOHNNIE WALKER BATTLE MOVES TO HOLYROOD

Today (Wednesday), the battle to stop Diageo closing the Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock moves to the Scottish Parliament where Kilmarnock & Loudoun MSP Willie Coffey will lead a debate on the company’s plans to lay off hundreds of workers.

The debate was initiated by Mr Coffey after he tabled a motion supporting the cross party campaign established to oppose the closure of the Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock.

The motion has attracted support from all political parties and is to be debated by the parliament on its first day back after the summer recess.

Earlier today, there will be a Scottish Government statement to the parliament on the work being done to persuade Diageo to change their plans.

The debate will also be backed up by action throughout the day by the trade unions representing Diageo workers, many of whom will be in parliament to hear the debate.

Commenting before the debate Mr Coffey said:

“Since Diageo made their announcement on 1 July, there has been a huge amount of work done on a cross party basis to halt this damaging proposal.

“That the parliament is to debate this on the first day after recess shows how seriously all parties view this threat, not only to Johnnie Walker and Kilmarnock, but also to the Scotch whisky industry.

“Ending Johnnie Walker’s link with Kilmarnock and tearing 800 jobs out of the local economy is a strategic mistake by Diageo and is also socially unacceptable.

“Johnnie Walker is the world’s most successful whisky and has been built up over many years. The workers are rightly asking why their jobs are being destroyed by Diageo in pursuit of short-term gain.

“It is absolutely right that we ask why a company that is making billions in profit each year is walking away from such an important part of the industry's heritage."

MILIBAND HUMILIATES IAIN GRAY - MACASKILL ACTED "IN THE RIGHT WAY"

IAIN GRAY'S CASE UNDERCUT BY UK GOVERNMENT “RESPECT” FOR SCOTTISH PROCESS

Labour’s leader in the Scottish Parliament has been undercut by UK Ministers today as David Miliband confirmed that neither he nor the Prime Minister wanted Mr Megrahi to die in jail – the supposed position of Iain Gray – and as Mr Miliband gave his backing to the Scottish Government’s handling of the issue.

Speaking on Radio 4 Today programme this morning Foreign Secretary David Miliband said:

“We did not want him to die in prison. No, we weren't seeking his death in prison. We have been absolutely clear."

On the Scottish Government’s handling of the decision over Mr Megrahi he said:

“The decision to make was for the Scottish Government and they have done so in a way which we respect but which is absolutely according to the constitution of this country"

The Foreign Secretary continued:

“The account that has been discussed over the last two weeks is first of all was the Scottish administration doing its constitutional duty in the right way - point one yes.”

SNP MSP Michael Matheson said:

“This is a further humiliation for Iain Gray and Richard Baker.

“It is not just the evidence that undercuts Labour’s arguments it is their own Foreign Secretary.

“The UK Government is clear that they respect what the Scottish Government has done and the way in which it was done.

“Mr Miliband confirmed this morning that neither he nor Gordon Brown had wanted Mr Megrahi to die in a Scottish jail and he has confirmed that in his view the Scottish Government acted “in the right way”.

“Labour have spent two weeks concocting arguments only for David Miliband and Gordon Brown to pull the rug from under them.

"Iain Gray and Richard Baker’s complaints are exposed as nothing more than empty political posturing."

OECD FIGURES SHOW "SHAMEFUL" LEVEL OF YOUTH DRINKING

Shameful figures show the UK has the highest rates and level of drunkenness among 13-15 years olds of any country in the OECD.

A report, issued today by the OECD states; “Drunkenness is the highest in the OECD, with one in three 13 and 15 year olds having been drunk at least twice.”

The report also exposes high teenage pregnancy rates in the UK.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson branded the details exposed in the report as shameful and called for support for Scottish Government proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcohol and to ensure licensing boards consider raising the age limit for off-sales of alcohol.

Mr Gibson said;

“The level of youth drinking across the UK is shameful.

“While this report covers the UK as a whole we know the level of youth drinking in Scotland is unacceptable and it can not be allowed to continue.

“There is a real and urgent need to tackle Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.

“The Scottish Government is setting out a radical approach to alcohol that will help to bring youth drinking under control.

“Ending pocket money prices for alcohol, where litres of cider can be bought for £3.00 is vital in addressing our problem with youth drinking.

“Similarly it is vital that local authorities are able to consider raising the age limit for offsales to 21 as one of a package of measures to stop underage sales and to tackle proxy purchasing - where older teenagers by alcohol for younger ones - if they think it is necessary.

“Ending teenage drinking and drunkenness requires bold steps. The Scottish Government is prepared to take action – it is for other parties to explain whether they will support them.”

SMEARS MUST END AS NEW DEFENCE CHIEF TAKES POST

As General Sir David Richards takes over as Chief of the Defence Staff today (Friday) the SNP called on the UK Government to get behind the new forces commander – and put an end to the Labour smear campaign which had been directed at his predecessor.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said Ministers must give their full support to Gen Richards as he focuses on the military effort in Afghanistan . Labour has been under fire over attempts to smear his predecessor, General Sir Richard Dannatt, after a peer, Lord Foulkes, tabled parliamentary questions seeking to embarrass the head of the Armed Forces. Lord Foulkes previously accused Gen Dannatt of giving 'succour to the enemy' for demanding more helicopters in Afghanistan, and recent media reports suggest Labour are co-ordinating an effort to smear the outgoing commander.

Mr Robertson said:

“General Richards takes on his role at a critical time, and he must be able to count on the support of ministers and be able to speak frankly about operational issues without fear of vilification.
“Sir David’s predecessor spoke out about defence needs and was met with slurs and smears from Labour.

“Instead of asking serious questions about equipment and military strategy, Lord Foulkes was more interested in trying to embarrass the chief of the defence staff over his travel arrangements. As our forces face very difficult challenges in Afghanistan , we must have no repeat of these petty attacks.

“The UK Government must give our forces, at every level, the support they need as they serve the country.”

UK MUST "OPEN UP" ON LIBYA DEALINGS

UK DEALINGS "SHROUNDED IN SECRECY"

Commenting on reports in The Herald newspaper in which Colonel Gaddafi's son, Saif al Islam Gaddafi suggests that negotiations over the Prisoner Transfer Agreement struck between Tony Blair and Libya connected trade deals to the release of the Lockerbie bomber SNP MP and Westminster leader Angus Robertson said;

"Kenny MacAskill made the right decision for the right reasons and he has explained that decision in Parliament.

"The SNP spoke out against Tony Blair's deal in the desert when it was first struck, but the UK denied that Megrahi was the target and refused to exclude him from the agreement.

"The UK Government's negotiation of a prisoner transfer agreement and meetings between the UK Government and Libya remain shrouded in secrecy.

"It is time for the UK to open up on Blair and Brown's dealings with Colonel Gaddafi.

"The Scottish Government has said it will release all possible information on the consideration of Mr Megrahi's release as soon as it can.

"If the UK Government wants to end suspicion over it's own dealings with Libya Gordon Brown should adopt the same approach and put the details of these meetings into the public domain."