Commenting on today’s proposal by the Competition Commission to force BAA to sell Edinburgh Airport, John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West said: “Edinburgh airport is a major employer and today’s news will be most unsettling for staff in the run-up to Christmas.

“For the Competition Commission to stipulate which central Scotland airport ought to close is almost without precedent.John Barrett MP: Edinburgh West

“Given the deepening recession, for the commission to be setting a timetable for a sale could be hugely damaging, potentially driving down the price of the airport and putting pressure on jobs.

“With Christmas approaching. It is vital in the short term that staff at the airport can feel confident in their jobs.

“The Competition Commission should think again about whether the public interest is best served by forcing the sale of Edinburgh airport during such volatile economic conditions.”