SWINNEY: I’LL SAVE WHISKY JOBS

Drinks giant Diageo has attracted widespread condemnation over plans to shut its historic distillery at Port Dundas in Glasgow and the Johnnie Walker packaging plant at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

On a visit to Kilmarnock yesterday, Mr Swinney met representatives from the company, local politicians and councillors.

He said: “We want to ensure that the proposals put forward by Diageo are not implemented and that we change their minds.” His pledge came as the local football club also threw their weight behind the fight, launching a petition to save the jobs.

Michael Johnston, Kilmarnock Football Club chairman, called for the decision to be reversed.

He said: “Kilmarnock Football Club will support the employees whose jobs are under threat and our local politicians in their campaign to keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock, where it was founded in 1820.”

The job losses are being partly offset by the creation of 400 jobs at a packaging plant in Fife.