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HARD-WORKING George Scollen branded Tory minister Maria Miller a factory killer as he battled to save his job.

Yesterday, his heartbroken workmates at a doomed Remploy factory said Miller and her colleagues’ policies had killed George.

Just three weeks ago, the disabled dad of two was presented with an award to mark his 40 years of service at the plant in Springburn, Glasgow.

Yesterday – the day his workplace shut its doors for good – George, 58, was found dead at home.

Friends at the factory held a minute’s silence in his honour.

The Springburn factory, which made NHS wheelchairs, was one of 36 Remploy sites across the UK axed by the Con-Dem Coalition.

The Remploy factories provided work for disabled people and the closures have been labelled a betrayal of those who will struggle to find alternative jobs.

George, a model employee who rarely missed a day’s work, was also a regular on picket lines after the closure decision. He was pictured with a placard branding former Disabled Minister Miller a factory killer.

Gerry McGiff, 52, who had worked with George for 36 years, said last night: “George’s death is a direct result of the factory being closed down.

(Image: Daily Record)

“The Government have to learn from this.

“This is what could happen to a lot of people with disabilities like George if their jobs are scrapped.

“The whole factory is gutted about his death. But it could have been avoided if we hadn’t been betrayed by the Tories.

“It’s just been too much for him getting paid off. He had quite a bit of disability, so would have found it near impossible to get another job.

“The Government are to blame for George’s death. This was his lifeline. At the end of the day, the Government shutting down places where disabled people work is a disgrace.”

George, who had polio as a child and walked with a caliper on one leg, worked at Remploy as a brazing welder, joining together parts of the wheelchairs.

He was also a team leader for the brazing section and passed on his skills training other members of staff.

He had split from his wife some time ago and was found dead at a guest house in Firhill, Glasgow.

Police said the circumstances were not suspicious.

George, who did DJ gigs when he was younger, had four sisters and two brothers.

One of them, Catherine, 50, said last night: “His work was his life and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

“He was a very hard worker all his life. He was a great brother. He will be missed a lot.”

Another colleague, Dougie Irvine, 58, said: “George was a true gentleman. We knew everyone would be affected by the factory closing but this came as an absolute shock.

(Image: Alasdair MacLeod)

“This is what happens when they shut down places disabled people rely on for their working and social lives.

“It was a truly sad day today, with the factory being closed for the last time, but even worse after we heard about George.”

Springburn Labour MP Willie Bain, who raised the plight of disabled workers losing their jobs at

Westminster yesterday, described the news as “tragic”.

He said disabled unemployment was now at a record high.

SNP MSP Bob Doris said he was shocked. He added: “I can only imagine how Mr Scollen would have felt after devoting 40 years to the company. ”

Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson said: “I again urge the Scottish Government to redouble their efforts to provide the support the workers will need.”

The Remploy closures were announced by Miller last July, when she told MPs the £320million budget for disabled employment services could be spent more effectively.

She was rewarded by David Cameron by being promoted to the Cabinet as Culture Secretary.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said last night: “We are saddened to hear about the death of an employee from the Springburn Remploy factory. All our sympathies are with his family and friends.”

Remploy said in a statement: “We are distressed and shocked by the news that one of our long-serving employees at Springburn was tragically found dead at home this morning.

“George was receiving support from Remploy and Jobcentre Plus to help him find another job.

“We are supporting his work colleagues, who have been offered one to one meetings with their manager and specialist HR support.”

Additional reporting by Sally Hind, Torcuil Crichton and David Clegg