Minister urged to reveal legal advice over decision to walk away from BiFab

BiFab Joint Trade Unions Media Statement

For immediate distribution: Friday 30 October 2020

Minister urged to reveal legal advice over decision to walk away from BiFab

Following yesterday afternoon’s crucial summit over the future of stricken renewables manufacturing firm BiFab, joint trade union leaders have today (Friday 30 October) written to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work & Culture Fiona Hyslop MSP, urging transparency over legal advice which led the Scottish Government to withdraw financial guarantees to support the manufacture of eight turbine jackets for the Neart na Gaiothe (NnG) offshore wind project.

GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith and Unite Scotland Secretary Pat Rafferty said:

“We’ve said time and again that all difficult questions are the Scottish Government’s to answer and this remains case after yesterday’s meeting – this veil of secrecy must be lifted.

“It’s neither acceptable or credible for the Minister to not share the details of the legal advice which prompted the government to walk away from BiFab, these are exceptional circumstances and very much in the public interest given its importance to Scotland’s industrial future.

“The First Minister said she would “leave no stone unturned” to save these yards but if we are to do that then we need to know the full facts behind her Cabinet Secretary’s decision to remove the financial guarantees for this lifeline contract, and time is of the essence.

 “BiFab remains on the brink but the battle to save these yards goes on, and with it our best chance at building a meaningful offshore wind manufacturing supply chain in Scotland.”

ENDS 

Contact: GMB Scotland Communications on 07976 447077 or Unite Scotland Communications on 07810 157922.

Notes to Editors: Copies of the Joint Trade Union letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work & Culture can be provided on request from GMB Scotland or Unite Scotland communications.