Öpik Holds Discussions with Welsh Minister over Shop Direct Jobs

12.00.00am GMT Wed 10th Feb 2010

In his ongoing campaign to try and secure the continued existence of the Shop Direct call centre facility, with the potential loss of 180 jobs, Montgomeryshire Lib Dem MP Lembit Öpik has held a key meeting with Welsh Officer Minister Wayne David MP in London. Lembit has already visited the company headquarters in Speke together with Newtown Mayor Joy Jones and ward Councillor Richard White. The ministerial meeting was arranged by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, in response to a request for assistance by Lembit at last week's Prime Ministers Questions.

Lembit said "I'm extremely grateful to the Prime Minister for setting up this meeting so speedily with Wayne David MP. It gave us the chance to have a full and frank discussions about the current situation, and where we go from here. It's obvious to me that the first aim must be to protect the existing jobs, either with Shop Direct or with another firm able to take over the call centre. As a result of our talks, Wayne David is taking an active role in helping us look around for alternatives. This is the right thing to do, and we must hope for the best as the process continues. The Minister also contacted Joy Jones and Richard White, and I'm truly impressed with his willingness to assist me in this important campaign.

"I'm raising the matter again in Parliament at Welsh Questions on Wednesday, 10th February. I'm hoping the efforts I'm making will bear fruit, as they did in the successful replacement of Nationwide with Yorkshire Building Society in Llanidloes last year. Whatever happens, I'll keep everyone posted as and when I have more news."