Scottish First Minister John Swinney has found himself at the centre of a political storm after making contradictory statements about job guarantees for workers facing redundancy at the Mossmorran ethylene plant in Fife.
Confusion Over Job Interview Guarantees
During Thursday's First Minister's Questions, Swinney appeared to confirm that workers made redundant from the closing Mossmorran facility would receive guaranteed job interviews, similar to arrangements made for employees at Scotland's last oil refinery in Grangemouth.
When directly questioned by Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer about extending the same protections to Mossmorran's workforce, the SNP leader responded: "Yes, I am happy to confirm that".
However, in a rapid turnaround following the parliamentary session, Scottish Government officials told Press Association that Swinney had been referring specifically to the previous Grangemouth agreement and that no such job interview guarantee currently exists for Mossmorran employees.
Political Fallout and Criticism
The apparent U-turn has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians, with Ross Greer expressing his disappointment publicly.
The Green MSP stated on social media: "I specifically asked if the Scottish Government would replicate the Grangemouth fund's requirement of guaranteed job interviews for laid off workers at Mossmorran. Disappointed that the First Minister apparently meant to say no when he quite clearly said yes."
Greer further accused the Scottish Government of having "no plan" to assist the more than 300 workers facing unemployment when the plant ceases operations in February.
Scale of Job Losses and Government Response
The situation at Mossmorran represents a significant blow to the local economy, with energy giant ExxonMobil announcing the plant's closure last week.
179 directly-employed positions are at risk alongside approximately 250 contractors, though there remains a possibility that 50 staff members could transfer to the Fawley petrochemical complex in Hampshire, nearly 500 miles away.
In his defence, Swinney emphasised that the Scottish Government received only one week's notice about the closure plans, contrasting this with the UK Government's advance knowledge spanning several months.
The First Minister reiterated his criticism of what he characterised as unequal treatment under the Labour government in London, pointing to their decision to take control of the UK's last remaining virgin steel plant in Scunthorpe while offering different support for Scottish industrial closures.
A Scottish Government spokesperson later clarified the position: "The announcement of Mossmorran's closure was made last week and therefore while no guaranteed interview scheme currently exists along the lines offered to workers at Grangemouth, the First Minister was happy to confirm that, in the event of funding being made available to the Mossmorran site, the same conditionality would apply."
The controversy comes against the backdrop of the £25 million Grangemouth Just Transition Fund, which requires organisations seeking investment to offer job interviews to workers made redundant by Petroineos when that refinery closed.
