Blair abandons election trail as Rover collapses

Last updated at 13:03 15 April 2005


Prime Minister Tony Blair scrapped his election campaigning plans today after the Chinese deal to save MG Rover collapsed.

He cancelled a planned visit to focus on the crisis after being caught on the hop on the campaign trail when news of the breakdown in talks with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) emerged.

As administrators announced "significant redundancies" at the car firm's Longbridge plant, Mr Blair said he had not yet seen the letter to the Government from the SAIC pulling out of talks.

As he toured a community centre in Crawley, West Sussex, the premier was asked about the news from China.

Announcements

He said: "We have received a letter from the Chinese company. I think there will be announcements made about this shortly.

"I do not have anything more to say at this point in time today. But we will keep you in touch with the thing as it develops.

"I think it is best that we wait and see, until we are in a position to give you the details of the letter.

"I have not actually seen the letter myself yet, for example, because I have been down here."

Although aides initially said Mr Blair would carry on with his election programme for the day, less than an hour later they announced it had been cancelled.

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