THERE was an angry response from SNP politicians after Scottish Labour’s new leader, Richard Leonard, seemed to claim credit for saving Burntisland Fabrications.

In tweets late on Saturday night, Leonard also seemed to suggest it was the Scottish Government who had put the firm, known as BiFab, at risk.

“I’m currently in Methil standing alongside the BiFab workers. Their courage and determination this week led by their trade unions GMB and Unite, has secured an important victory. This is the Labour movement at its best,” he tweeted.

He added: “I welcome the fact that the combined pressure of BiFab workers, their trade unions and the public have forced a deal from the Government.

“As we await the details of the deal, we must ensure that it protects all the 1400 jobs under threat now and in the future.”

Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse, who had spent much of the week working on the deal, tweeted: “Who knew, when Adam Smith coined concept of ‘invisible hand’ in economics, he was inspired by Richard Leonard’s (non)delivery of BiFab deal?”

The SNP Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman tweeted to Leonard: “You know that moment, that golden moment when it’s your chance to set the tone, signal the change you’ve kept on talking about? Blew it.”

Labour’s Jackie Baillie also put some distance between herself and the party’s new leader: “This is excellent news. Well done to all involved @GMBScotOrg @NicolaSturgeon @KeithBrownSNP and @PaulWheelhouse”

The deal was secured on Saturday evening.

Nicola Sturgeon rescheduled plans to make sure she was available to take part in negotiations. The First Minister was even two hours late for the SNP’s annual St Andrew’s Day dinner on Friday, because she was working on the BiFab deal.

The agreement lifts the immediate threat of administration from the firm, which is working on a contract for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm.

The company’s difficulties stemmed from contractual disagreements with Seaway Heavy Lifting (SHL).

Unions said SHL had not paid up for work done, a claim the company denied.

After intensive talks aimed at securing the future of the company and intensive negotiations over the last two days, an agreement was finally reached.

A financial package to complete the contract was provided by SHL, SSE and the partners to the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project, JCE Offshore.

The Scottish Government also said they would, if necessary, make a commercial loan facility available to BiFab.

Announcing the deal, Sturgeon said: “I am pleased that after an extensive series of talks over the last week and two days of intense negotiations we have been able to broker a commercial agreement that lifts the threat of administration from BiFab and allows work on the current contract to continue.”

Trade unions GMB and Unite praised the role of the Scottish Government and Sturgeon in brokering the deal, and the resolute stand taken by the BiFab workers to show how determined they were to fight for their jobs and their communities.

Union leaders Gary Smith and Pat Rafferty said: “Make no mistake, these yards would be closed today if it wasn’t for the dignity and determination of the workers and their families in Fife and Lewis to save their jobs and industry.

“With their futures on a knife edge they worked for nothing and stayed strong and resolute, and by staying united they have won their future.”

BiFab has a workforce of 1400 employees, contractors and subcontractors in yards in Fife and on the Isle of Lewis.