Unite union employs former Grangemouth official Stevie Deans

Mr Deans was at the centre of the Grangemouth petrochemical plant dispute

The Unite union has confirmed that it has employed Stevie Deans, the former union convenor at the Ineos petrochemicals plant in Grangemouth.

Mr Deans was at the centre of a dispute at the facility at the end of last year which almost led to its closure.

He had been the subject of an internal company disciplinary procedure linked to the selection of the Labour Party candidate for the Falkirk constituency.

He resigned from his position at the plant following the dispute.

Unite said Mr Deans had started work on a temporary basis to cover the duties of an official on secondment.

It said it has been trying to get Mr Deans to work for the union for a number of years.

'Valuable addition'

The union called for the media to stop hounding him and to allow him to get on with his life.

Unite's Scottish secretary, Pat Rafferty, said: "I'm delighted that Stevie has joined us at Unite on a temporary basis.

"He's someone who I have been trying to get to work for Unite for a number of years, it's just a shame that it is a result of the circumstances of the past few months.

"Stevie has joined us on a standby basis to provide cover for an officer who is currently on secondment.

"Stevie is a valuable addition to the team and I trust that the media will allow him to get on with doing his job."