Councillor hits back at Alexander

Disabled workers are employed at Glencraft in Aberdeen

An Aberdeen councillor has hit back at Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander's call for Alex Salmond to try to save an Aberdeen factory.

The Glencraft factory for the disabled is threatened among £27m of cutbacks.

First Minister Mr Salmond said some problems stemmed from a Labour government but Ms Alexander said it was time the SNP stopped passing the buck.

SNP councillor Callum McCaig has written to her asking for an alternative budget for Aberdeen.

His letter states: "I would be very interested to hear what your alternative vision for Aberdeen's budget would be.

"I would be grateful if you could respond to my requests in early course and look forward to hearing from you."

'Every effort'

Mr Salmond earlier said it was a council matter, when he was lobbied in Aberdeen.

Ms Alexander then responded: "It's time the SNP stopped trying to pass the buck in Aberdeen. It is SNP councillors who pushed through cuts.

"The first minister tried to wash his hands of the cuts. That is not good enough. Glencraft workers have been treated abysmally by the city council.

"Alex Salmond should do the decent thing and personally intervene to force a re-think."

The council's chief executive Douglas Paterson has said every effort was being made to ensure the wellbeing of its citizens.