Diageo petition call to motor fans

12 April 2012

Fans of Formula One have been urged to back the campaign to save whisky jobs in Scotland.

Drinks giant Diageo has announced it is to shut its Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and the Port Dundas grain distillery in Glasgow, putting 900 jobs at risk.

A campaign to reverse the closure plans has been launched.

And as the Johnnie Walker brand sponsors Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton's McLaren Mercedes team, Kilmarnock MSP Willie Coffey urged motor sports fans to sign an online petition to save the Johnnie Walker plant.

Mr Coffey, an SNP MSP, made his plea before Sunday's German Grand Prix.

"£15 million of sponsorship sees the Johnnie Walker brand go from it's origins in Kilmarnock to be drunk around the world," he said.

"With Diageo determined to close Kilmarnock it is up to the public and the fans to help change their minds."

He said there had been a "tremendous outpouring of support" for workers at the Kilmarnock plant, with thousands of people already signing the petition.

Mr Coffey added: "This weekend as Johnnie Walker is advertised to the world, it's the turn of Formula One fans to show their support.

"I am calling on all Formula One fans, as they settle down to watch the grand prix to take two minutes to go online and sign the petition - and ask a friend to do so too."

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