Tennent's boss backs Scottish minimum pricing

The boss of one of Scotland's biggest drinks brands has backed the government's controversial plans for minimum pricing.

Mike Lees, managing director of Tennent's Caledonian, said the measure could be "part of the solution" to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse.

He said the company would back minimum pricing as long as the measures proposed are "fair, proportionate and part of an overall programme to reduce the abuse of alcohol".

Lees added: "We believe passionately that responsible adults have the right to enjoy drinking sensibly and we believe that minimum pricing, when combined with other measures, may contribute to an improvement in society."

The Scottish government is planning to introduce a minimum price to address issues around alcohol, but is facing stiff opposition from other parties and parts of the drinks industry.

Lees also claimed the problems normally stemmed from the off-trade.

"In particular, there is an issue with a small group of consumers who purchase cheap alcohol in bulk, drink excessively at home and then go out into pubs and clubs and get into difficulties," he said.

SNP MSP Michael Matheson welcomed Tennent's backing for the proposal.

"This is indeed very welcome news," he said. "Tennent's understand that responsible producers have nothing to fear with minimum pricing and that only low-end, dirt-cheap alcohol will be affected.

He added: "Now, the opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament must stop playing politics with the nation's health and back these proposals."

The Tennent's brand was bought by the C&C Group last August from AB InBev.