Planned NI rise attacked by boss

THE Oldham-born boss of drinks giant Diageo is the latest business leader to attack Labour’s proposed National Insurance rise.

Former Royton and Crompton pupil Paul Walsh hit out at claims that businesses backing David Cameron’s campaign to ditch the 1p hike had been “deceived” by the Tories.

Prime Minster Gordon Brown made the claim on GMTV as more business chiefs publicly backed the Conservative pledge to reduce the planned rises.

Mr Walsh, a leading member of the Prime Minister’s business council said: “It is not true to claim businesses have been deceived.”

The former Oldham College student grew up in Chadderton and started his career as a trainee with the Co-op.

He became chief executive of Diageo, which has brands such as Smirnoff, Johnny Walker, Guinness and Baileys, in 2000, and received an honorary doctorate from University Campus Oldham in 2007.

His comments were seized on during the yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Question Time, the last before the general election on May 6.

Mr Cameron said: “Let’s hear what he had to say . . . ‘NI is a tax on jobs’.”

Labour MPs yelled out: “He’s a Tory” but Mr Cameron retorted: “He’s probably a Tory now. So are half the country.”