McKay is Westminster candidate

Addressing the Election Conventio in Dunloy, he said: “First and foremost our thoughts should be with the workers of Gallahers and their families given the recent announcement by JTI that they will be closing the local factory here in North Antrim.

“Manufacturing is a key industry for North Antrim and these are some of the most highly skilled workers that we have in the sector. An immediate priority must be to create opportunities for as many of those workers as possible through retraining and/or placement and I have spoken to some within the manufacturing sector here who want to avail of the skillsets that many of these workers have.

“Politicians locally need to avoid bickering and focus on solutions for this workforce that involve existing indigenous businesses and attracting Foreign and Direct Investment.”