Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to “eyeball” the owners of the McVitie’s factory in Tollcross and “make them an offer they cannot refuse”.

She was at First Minister’s Questions after workers staged a rally outside the Scottish Parliament as they took their 75,000 strong petition to Holyrood.

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP, said she commended the work of the Scottish Government, finance secretary, Kate Forbes, working with Glasgow City Council and the unions to find a solution to keep the factory open.

READ MORE: Glasgow McVitie's workers to take fight to Holyrood in last ditch attempt to save jobs

McNeill then asked the First Minister to directly intervene with the Turkey based owners, Pladis, to save the factory.

She said: “Will the First Minister use her international recognition and skills to eyeball directly the owners of McVitie’s to make sure the are presented with an offer they can’t refuse?

Glasgow Times:

“You need to lead the charge and we will be right behind you. The McVitie’s factory cannot be allowed to close.”

She asked if the First Minister would accept the petition form her on behalf of the workers.

The First Minister said she was 100% behind the work the Finance Secretary was doing and lamented a “lack of engagement" on the owners part on options to save the factory.

Glasgow Times:

She said: “I will make sure any option is taken forward by the government. We cannot force companies to accept offers of help.”

She added: The workers do not need to petition me and the Scottish Government. We will do everything we can to save the factory.”