The deal to safeguard Murco refinery at Milford Haven has collapsed.

The Welsh and UK governments have been working in close co-operation and been fully engaged with both parties to secure the ongoing operation of the refinery and protect the jobs at the Milford Haven site.

Minister for Economy, Science and Transport Edwina Hart said: "This is a devastating blow to staff at the Murco refinery and companies within the refinery’s supply chain, as well as the local communities around Milford Haven. Murco has been integral to the fabric of the oil and gas infrastructure in Wales and the Welsh economy for many years.

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"This news is especially disappointing as the Welsh Government did everything we could to support the success of this deal. Working with close co-operation from UK Government departments Welsh Government officials have been fully engaged with both parties at the highest levels for many months to try to secure the ongoing operation of the refinery and protect the jobs at the Milford Haven site.

"Our support for the Murco refinery and its staff will not stop here. We have been working with management at Murco since 2010 to try to maximise the opportunities for the sale of the refinery. In April I established a task force to marshal support from high level stakeholders for the maintenance of refinery operations at the site for the future. The work of this task force will carry on to maximise the opportunities for employment at the site."

(CD/MH)