SCOTTISH ministers were accused yesterday of "taking their eye off the ball" over the expected closure of the Johnnie Walker plant whisky plant with the loss of 700 jobs.
As politicians from Labour and the SNP met drinks firm Diageo yesterday about the future of its Kilmarnock operation, a political storm blew up over who was to blame.
Local Labour MP Des Browne, the former Scottish secretary, accused SNP Scottish
ministers of "taking their eye off the ball".
But the SNP accused him of turning an issue of cross-party concern into a political football.
Mr Browne claimed that the reorganisation of Scottish Enterprise in 2007 had led to a "completely unco-ordinated approach" in trying to save jobs.
He said that when Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government had been made aware of Diageo's review they should have expected the possible closure of one or more of its operations and put together a business plan to save them.
After he met senior representatives of the firm yesterday he was promised that the local council, employees, union representatives and local politicians would be given a chance to put together a business plan to save the Kilmarnock plant.
"That's exactly what Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government should have done in the first place," he said.
He added: "I am confident that the workforce, the local council, and with help from the Scottish Government, we can get our act together in the same timescale."
Mr Browne is due to visit workers today with SNP finance secretary John Swinney. But there is anger that Mr Browne had suggested Scottish Enterprise had been discussing the closure with Diageo and not told ministers until the 11th hour.
All parties have denied this, with Diageo stating that it told employees of its plans first.
Mr Salmond also spoke to Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh yesterday and secured guarantees the firm was committed to a genuine consultation that would consider alternative proposals, particularly concerning the Kilmarnock operation.
A source close to Mr Salmond added: "It is astonishing that Des Browne, when his constituency is facing a major jobs challenge, should choose to make political points. Our concern is with the 700 jobs at risk in Kilmarnock – Des Browne's concern seems to be with his own job."
