Anger at Forbes' 'Scots only' plan

THE Secretary of State for Scotland has said Mossmorran workers "deserve better" than the deputy first minister's "proposed approach" for the site.

- BY RACHEL KEENAN

Douglas Alexander, in a letter to Kate Forbes, referenced the message he sent to her and Peter Kyle, the UK Business Secretary, which proposed a Fife Council-led taskforce be set up on the closure of Mossmorran’s ExxonMobil Fife Ethylene Plant.

Mr Alexander said: "I wrote that letter for two reasons. Firstly the workers and site at Mossmorran deserve unity rather than political squabbles between governments.

"Secondly, I recently spoke about the critical role of local government in shaping Scotland's future and the need to see that reflected in decision-making."

Global energy giant ExxonMobil announced on Tuesday that it will close its manufacturing plant, with both the SNP and Labour governments shouldering the blame over their net zero policies.

The Fife Ethylene Plant, which produces the base material for plastics, is expected to shut in February.

According to the company, 179 directly employed jobs will be at risk along with 250 contractors, with the possibility of 50 staff transferring to the Fawley Petrochemical Complex almost 500 miles away in Hampshire.