Fife Council co-leader David Alexander has defended a social media post sparking fears a driver at drinks giant Diageo’s plant in Leven had tested positive for COVID-19.
The Leven, Kennoway and Largo SNP councillor, on Wednesday evening in a public Facebook message, relayed the details of a phone call he received and said vulnerable staff at the Banbeath bottling hall needed to know to “make their own decisions” about working at the site.
Diageo has categorically denied a driver had tested positive but confirmed a driver for one of the company’s contractors was self-isolating after developing a cough.
While Mr Alexander says he has “no reason to believe” what he was told is not correct, opponents have branded his comments as “thoroughly irresponsible” and even called on him to resign.
Mr Alexander told The Courier he is aware of a number of anonymous staff concerns about absences, whether bottling alcohol should be deemed essential and in particular, social distancing at the complex.
“Diageo is hugely important to Levenmouth.
“Personally, I am the first member of my family who hasn’t worked at Cameron Bridge in 150 years. Along with Tricia Marwick MSP I supported the Leven option against other options when the Kilmarnock closure was announced.
“I held firm against a national campaign to protect the diseased deer when the expansion plans became reality so this is difficult.
“But it is also very different. I am also privileged, if that is the right term, to know what provisions have been put in place to fight this virus and protect the population.”
A Diageo spokesperson said: “It is not true that a driver coming on site at Diageo in Fife has tested positive for Covid-19.
“A driver for one of our contractors has been advised to self-isolate as a precaution after developing a cough.
“The driver and our contractor acted immediately to take all the necessary steps to comply with guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus, and Diageo has followed up with a thorough investigation to safeguard our employees.”
Labour councillor Colin Davidson said he was “surprised and disappointed” by Mr Alexander’s actions.
“Clearly the potential damage to Diageo and more importantly the safety of its employees should be uppermost in the minds of political leaders before posting unfounded speculation about a deadly virus?.
“If it transpires Mr Alexander has not contacted the company or the chief executive of Fife Council to verify the accuracy of his assertions then many observers would think he should consider his position as co-leader.
“The last thing Fife, local residents and our largest employer in Levenmouth needs is bogus stories that the virus might be in their midst from the co leader of Fife Council based on a phone call.
“It is disappointing and the potential damage this has done to a company who has invested hundreds of millions in Levenmouth is incalculable.
“If Mr Alexander has an ounce of common sense and decency you’d normally expect from a man in his position he’d issue an unreserved apology to the company, their employees, the community he represents, his political party then reflect on his own position not just as co leader but a community representative.”
Independent councillor Linda Holt also described Mr Alexander’s post as “thoroughly irresponsible”.
Diageo statement on COVID-19 measures
A Diageo spokesperson said: “We are strictly following advice from our medical advisors in relation to WHO guidelines and also complying with the guidance set out by the UK and Scottish governments, that alcohol manufacturing can continue on condition of having rigorous social distancing and sanitation protocols in place.
“We have also applied additional safety measures across all our sites in the UK to comply with the latest guidelines.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and are working with alcohol manufacturing colleagues and the authorities.”
