In 2019 it was reported that Scottish government guarantees relating to the Lochaber plant are worth more than £500million.
Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston (pictured) said:
“A matter of weeks ago came the positive news of an expansion at the Lochaber site so this has come as a real shock.
“It is a vital local industry which employs almost 200 workers and it’s incumbent on the SNP to explore all options to ensure the survival of this site and those in Motherwell and elsewhere in the UK.
“We need to do everything possible to preserve jobs.
“It is a fast-moving situation, and I will be monitoring development and asking questions once the position becomes clearer.”
Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said:
“The finance secretary must provide urgent clarity, specifically in relation to how much taxpayers’ money may be at risk and what is being done to address that.
“As seen with BiFab, the ferries fiasco and other scandals, this SNP government has a reverse Midas touch when it comes to business.
“They must explain what is going on, the terms of these agreements and do everything possible to insulate public funds from unnecessary loss.”
