FIRST MINISTER John Swinney’s call at the STUC for government intervention to save Grangemouth oil refinery was branded “too little, too late” by those campaigning for its future.

The SNP leader used his keynote address to congress in Dundee to praise the role the trade union movement had played in how the city had met past economic and social challenges, and promised delegates his government was “working very assertively” to secure the future of the University of Dundee, which recently announced plans to slash 20 per cent of its workforce amid an ongoing financial crisis.

Responding to criticism that his recent summit on tackling the far right only provided fuel for parties such as Reform UK, he said: “My government will play its part in taking the economic and social action to stop these elements gaining ground.”

Turning to the fate of Scotland’s only oil refinery, he thanked Unite the union for their campaigning to secure its future, and argued that state intervention in Scunthorpe now provided “an example” of what was needed at Grangemouth.

Unite rep at the site, Chris Hamilton, welcomed Mr Swinney’s acceptance that the latter was “ultimately a question of ownership and who controls these vital assets.

“It seems ridiculous that Scotland’s only oil refinery, so critical to our economy, is getting decisions made on its future made thousands of miles away in a boardroom and no-one can do anything about it,” he said.

But, he added, “there’s been a change of approach by governments. 

“A year ago there was nothing we could do, it was a private business, and here we are a year later and we see what they’re doing down in Scunthorpe — and that’s welcome — but why not Grangemouth and why not long ago?”

With closure thought to be just days away, Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman slammed Mr Swinney’s “lack of urgency,” telling the Star: “Promises of what his government is going to do to provide a just transition for Grangemouth are too little, too late. 

“Like cabinet colleagues, the First Minister was aware of Petroineos plans to close the refinery years ago. His speech saying that governments should intervene is gaslighting in the extreme. 

“The notion that the SNP have done everything they can to save industry and Grangemouth is playing fast and loose with the truth.”