Kraft says sorry over factory closure

Executive vice president Marc Firestone was subjected to a two-hour grilling by MPs on the cross-party Business Select Committee, who accused his firm of "pillaging" the iconic British company.

Union leaders complained that thousands of British workers have been left fearing for their jobs after Kraft's multibillion-pound takeover, especially as the US firm changed its mind about keeping open the Somerdale factory near Bath.

Kraft said while it was bidding for Cadbury it would keep the plant open, but later changed its mind, announcing the site would close with the loss of 400 jobs.

Mr Firestone issued the first public apology since the closure was confirmed last month, telling the MPs: "We are sorry to the people who we disappointed. We fully understand that for over two years colleagues at Somerdale had been under a closure programme and our statement created uncertainty, and when we announced we would not take it forward, hopes were dashed. We are terribly sorry for that."

Only after the takeover was completed did Kraft discover that millions of pounds of equipment had been bought for a new Polish factory, he said, adding that the US firm did not know that Cadbury had already invested "enormous resources".