Partner Article

Brown upbeat over Corus

Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday said a number of buyers were interested in saving the Tata Steel-owned Corus plant on Teesside which the company is partially shutting today, forcing 1,600 people out of work.

Brown’s remark came hours after the company said in an e-mail statement that “there has been speculation about potential last minute bidders for the plant. Corus’ position remains unchanged. This is a mothballing, not a permanent closure. TCP will be kept ready for a restart”.

“Corus remains open to credible offers for TCP,” it added.

During a phone-in on Real Radio ahead of a Cabinet meeting in Durham, Brown said he had spoken to the owners of the Indian parent company Tata and Corus Chief Kirby Adams.

“We are still trying to find new owners for the site,” the Prime Minister said.

Asked whether he had heard venture capitalist Jon Moulton was interested, Brown replied: “I am aware that there are a number of companies talking to us and Corus, not just Moulton, of whose bid I am not aware. A lot of work is being done behind the scenes. Mothballing will unfortunately have to go ahead

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .