Following comments from the General Secretary of
Unite regarding Sir Peter Burt and Sir George Mathewson’s intervention in the
Lloyds TSB takeover of HBOS SNP MSP Alex Neil who has been campaigning for a
review of the takeover said;

“This is an incredibly bizarre response from
someone whose interests should be protecting the jobs of HBOS and Lloyds TSB
employees at all costs.  It reads more like a defence of the Prime
Minister.

 
“If the
takeover is allowed to go ahead up to 40,000 HBOS and Lloyds TSB employees could
face job losses – they should be Mr Simpson’s primary concern.

“I find it incredible that any union representing
the interests of these employees would put a botched takeover and thousands of
job losses ahead of an independent review and examination of any alternative
bids.

“Far from being the political bid Mr Simpson
alleges whilst George Mathewson may have indicated support for independence Sir
Peter Burt has taken the absolute opposite position.

“This deal must be scrutinised and alternatives
must be considered in the interests of HBOS and Lloyds TSB employees.  It seems
Derek Simpson is more concerned with imagined uncertainty than actual
redundancies.”