DIAGEO CHIEF'S 'SHOCK' AT FIGHT TO SAVE JOBS.THE boss of drinks giant Diageo has hit back at politicians who tried to save 900 Johnnie Walker Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced in Kilmarnock, Scotland. It is the most widely distributed brand of Scotch whisky in the world, sold in almost every country and with yearly sales of over 120 million bottles. jobs. Chief executive Paul Walsh Paul Anthony Walsh (born 1 October 1962 in Plumstead, London) was a diminutive and pacy centre forward who shot to fame in the 1980s after joining Liverpool. Playing career Charlton Athletic was said to have been shocked by the political reaction to the announcement to axe the whisky workers and slammed the "intrusion" by MSPs in the row. He laid the blame at their door, insisting the same politicians were taxing alcohol into "oblivion". He said: "Alcohol continues to be taxed into oblivion, therefore I've got no other option but to look to new markets. "I didn't expect it would be an easy process but I was surprised at the level of intrusion that came about." But Kilmarnock MSP (1) (Management Service Provider or Managed Service Provider) An organization that manages a customer's computer systems and networks which are either located on the customer's premises or at a third-party datacenter. Willie Coffey reacted to his comments with fury. He said: "These comments show complete contempt for the workers behind one of his best selling products. "It is Westminster that tries to hike up taxes on whisky and Scottish politicians that want those cut." The attack has fuelled the row with First Minister Alex Salmond and his government. He infuriated in·fu·ri·ate tr.v. in·fu·ri·at·ed, in·fu·ri·at·ing, in·fu·ri·ates To make furious; enrage. adj. Archaic Furious. bosses at the pounds 2billion firm by leading a protest march through Kilmarnock. MPs, MSPs and union leaders also fought a bitter campaign against the 700 job losses in Ayrshire and 200 in Glasgow. The firm are due to close their bottling plant in Kilmarnock and a distillery in Port Dundas, Glasgow. Distraught staff learnt their fate earlier this month. Despite the offer of millions in taxpayer subsidy, the firm rejected a government plan aimed at keeping Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock. The scheme would have seen Diageo scrap plans for an expanded bottling plant in Leven, Fife. JohnnieWalker has been linked with Kilmarnock since 1820 and is the biggest-selling Scotch whisky in the world. CAPTION(S): INTRUSION: Paul Walsh |
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