SNP demand answers on shipyard plans

SNP MSP for Govan and Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is demanding immediate answers from Gordon Brown over secret plans to sell Scottish shipbuilding down the river.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson is seeking an immediate statement in the House of Commons from the UK Government.

Speaking as newspaper and media reports suggest plans have already been drawn up to close one or both of the Clyde yards Ms Sturgeon said;

"Labour must come clean over these secret plans to sell Scottish ship building down the river.

"Workers on the Clyde will have woken up this morning to this deeply disturbing news and they deserve answers immediately.

"Gordon Brown must give an immediate assurance that the UK Government will not force the closure of the Clyde yards.

"I have had recent discussions with Alan Johnston, the Chief Executive of BVT who assured me assured me the company was working to secure the long term future of the yards. I will be contacting BVT this morning to demand assurances over their commitment to the Clyde yards and the long term future of Scotland's ship building expertise."

SNP Defence Spokesman and Westminster leader Angus Robertson said;

"I am seeking an immediate Parliamentary statement and debate from the UK Government on the future of the Clyde shipyards.

"Today’s reports will be deeply damaging to morale on the Clyde. Scotland

has some of the world’s best ship building expertise and Labour cannot be allowed to sell it down the river."