Alex Salmond calls Scottish Government 'national disgrace' over Grangemouth job losses

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Alex Salmond has called the Scottish Government a “national disgrace” for failing to protect hundreds of jobs at the Grangemouth oil refinery.In a blistering attack the former First Minister accused Humza Yousaf of “meekly accepting” failure in a shameful betrayal of the key industrial asset.Grangemouth could cease refinery operations by 2025 and convert into a fuel import terminal under plans announced by owners Petroineos last week placing at least 400 jobs at risk and thousands more in the supply chain.Salmond said: “If I was a Grangemouth worker watching First Minister’s Questions last Thursday, I would have put my foot right through the telly.“It is the opportunity for MSPs to show they care and the First Minister to show he can lead.

Neither did. The workers must be in dark despair.“Grangemouth’s future was punted off to a Ministerial statement in the afternoon.“Instead of a call to the barricades to secure an industrial future, the response from Humza Yousaf was flannel about doing ‘everything possible’.“It sounded like a resigned acceptance of the inevitability of failure.

Talk of ‘extending the life’ of the refinery rather than securing its future is not exactly confidence building.“So let us be clear.

Just about every single oil and gas nation refines their own production. That is where the value added comes from as well as the environmental advantage of refining close to the point of production.Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.All you have to do is click here if