TORIES FEAR VICKERS CAME UNDER PRESSURE The Tories have hinted that ministers may have put pressure on defence firm Vickers to close a tank plant in Leeds rather than one in Newcastle.
Shadow Defence Secretary John Maples said a further closure in the North East would have been "politically extremely damaging for the Government".
Most of the 700 jobs being axed by the defence company will be in Leeds.
Mr Maples demanded assurances that the decision was not politically motivated.
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