The First Minister told MSPs he was 'actively pursuing an option to maintain the refining capacity at Grangemouth'.
John Swinney has been accused of "looking away" as Scotland is set to become the only major oil producing nation in the world without a refinery.
But the SNP leader insisted he was in favour of the working life of the refinery being extended - and warned of the "economic damage" if it was closed down prematurely. But Derek Thomson, Unite Scotland regional secretary, told MSPs this week he believed the site was “a relatively profitable and financially healthy operation”.
Swinney responded: "I'm actively pursuing an option to maintain the refining capacity at Grangemouth. If that needs to be stated again to Parliament, I will. SNP MSP Michelle Thomson, whose constituency includes Grangemouth, had earlier asked if the First Minister was committed to securing a "pause" on the refinery's closure.
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