THE Scottish government will take part in talks with the British government and Fife Council leaders in a bid to secure a future for workers at the Mossmorran ethylene plant.

Owners ExxonMobil announced plans last week to close the plant in February, leaving more than 400 workers at the site facing redundancy. 

At the weekend, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes had announced a summit on the situation, but today Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander took to Radio Scotland to urge her to get involved with talks led by Fife Council.

He said: “Join us today, sit down in Fife and let’s get the arrangements sorted out so we can focus on the task at hand, which is not playing politics or squabbling between governments, but focusing on the needs of the workforce.

“Let’s get this sorted out like grown-ups.”

Arguing reports of conflict between the governments did a  “disservice to workers,” Ms Forbes said: “The Scottish government’s priority is to secure a future for the workers at Mossmorran.

“The Scottish government will participate in the UK government’s suggested process.”