HUNDREDS of workers facing redundancy at Mossmorran have had only “words and soundbites” from both Holyrood and Westminster when they need action, Unite has warned.

The Fife ethylene plant’s owner, petrochemical giant ExxonMobil, announced its intention last month to close production in February, in yet another blow to a region still reeling from the closure of nearby refinery Grangemouth.

Facing MPs at the Scottish affairs select committee on Wednesday, ExxonMobil UK chairman Paul Greenwood argued attempts had been made to sell the site, but British government policy had added to the challenges.

He said: “We did not find anybody who is able to offer us a viable offer.

“We would obviously sell the plant if we could, it’s clearly a much better option for everybody involved — including us — than shutting the plant down.”

Unite industrial officer Bob MacGregor, however, argued that this week’s announcement of a £120 million British government investment in an ethylene plant at Grangemouth was proof of viability.

Mr MacGregor said by contrast, little support had been offered to Mossmorran beyond Scottish government-organised employability events for those facing redundancy.

He said: “Other than that, I don’t see any support that’s been offered by either government.”

Renewing Unite’s calls for intervention, he added: “I can see a lot of kind words and soundbites, but I don’t see any real, tangible evidence of any practical support, financial support.”

Asked by SNP MP Dave Doogan if workers felt the British government understood the sector, he said: “Our members don’t see what the government are doing, they don’t understand.

“I think they just see that nothing’s getting done, other than an acceleration of the decline.”

Commenting after the meeting, Mr Doogan said: “What we heard at committee should shame the Labour Party.

“The First Minister, John Swinney, warned Keir Starmer that if he carries on pursuing the decline of Scotland’s energy sector, he risks being viewed in Scotland as Thatcher 2.0 — he would do well to take heed of that warning.”

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander described the closure as “a great regret,” adding: “I sat with the Mossmorran leadership with an open heart and an open mind to see if there was a way forward.

“Despite repeated contact with the British government, they weren’t able to come forward with proposals.”