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'Snub' claim over Diageo meeting 'Snub' claim over Diageo meeting
(40 minutes later)
A political row has erupted over a meeting between the SNP and drinks firm Diageo, which is planning up to 900 jobs cuts in Kilmarnock and Glasgow.A political row has erupted over a meeting between the SNP and drinks firm Diageo, which is planning up to 900 jobs cuts in Kilmarnock and Glasgow.
Labour accused First Minister Alex Salmond of "snubbing" Diageo workers by not attending a meeting with the company's chief executive Paul Walsh.Labour accused First Minister Alex Salmond of "snubbing" Diageo workers by not attending a meeting with the company's chief executive Paul Walsh.
The SNP said Mr Salmond has been unable to attend due to logistical reasons and Angus Robertson MP took his place.The SNP said Mr Salmond has been unable to attend due to logistical reasons and Angus Robertson MP took his place.
Mr Salmond was appearing on the BBC's Daily Politics at the time.Mr Salmond was appearing on the BBC's Daily Politics at the time.
The SNP accused Labour of "petty, puerile, mischief-making".The SNP accused Labour of "petty, puerile, mischief-making".
The party said that Mr Salmond spoke to Mr Walsh last week by phone. Workers at Diageo deserve a real First Minister who is willing to fight their corner, instead of taking part in a TV raffle Unite spokesman
Alternative proposals The party said that Mr Salmond spoke to Mr Walsh last week by phone and would meet the chief executive on 22 July.
It had been thought that the Diageo boss would be in China on business by now.
The SNP said that when Mr Salmond, who was in London on Westminster business, discovered that Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy was meeting Mr Walsh, he too asked to discuss the situation with the chief executive.The SNP said that when Mr Salmond, who was in London on Westminster business, discovered that Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy was meeting Mr Walsh, he too asked to discuss the situation with the chief executive.
However, when Mr Salmond was offered the meeting, he was already in a BBC studio preparing to take part in Andrew Neil's political programme.However, when Mr Salmond was offered the meeting, he was already in a BBC studio preparing to take part in Andrew Neil's political programme.
Mr Salmond decided to send Mr Robertson, the SNP's leader at Westminster, to the meeting.Mr Salmond decided to send Mr Robertson, the SNP's leader at Westminster, to the meeting.
Mr Robertson, who has whisky interests in his Moray constituency, described the discussions with Diageo as "constructive".Mr Robertson, who has whisky interests in his Moray constituency, described the discussions with Diageo as "constructive".
'Better offer'
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "There are 900 jobs at stake and there is just no place for political grandstanding by Alex Salmond.Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "There are 900 jobs at stake and there is just no place for political grandstanding by Alex Salmond.
"If he was so keen to meet the Diageo chief executive he should have fulfilled the appointment instead of sending along someone else."If he was so keen to meet the Diageo chief executive he should have fulfilled the appointment instead of sending along someone else.
"It would seem Alex Salmond thought he had got a better offer to appear on television and took that instead of lobbying on behalf of Diageo workers in Kilmarnock and Glasgow.""It would seem Alex Salmond thought he had got a better offer to appear on television and took that instead of lobbying on behalf of Diageo workers in Kilmarnock and Glasgow."
A spokesman for the Unite union also said the decision was a snub.
"Workers at Diageo deserve a real First Minister who is willing to fight their corner, instead of taking part in a TV raffle," he said.
Last week the firm announced plans to restructure its business with the loss of about 700 jobs at the Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock and 200 in Glasgow.Last week the firm announced plans to restructure its business with the loss of about 700 jobs at the Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock and 200 in Glasgow.
Following his meeting with Mr Walsh, the Scottish secretary said the firm had agreed to consider any alternative proposals brought forward by Scottish Enterprise.Following his meeting with Mr Walsh, the Scottish secretary said the firm had agreed to consider any alternative proposals brought forward by Scottish Enterprise.