Aberdeen City Council has been accused of actions more appropriate to Nazi Germany in the 1930s than 21st century Britain over its withdrawal of funding which will cost around 50 people their jobs, most of them disabled.

Management at Glencraft said the withdrawal of the £650,000 funding for the factory means it could shut as early as April.

Anthony Pratt, Glencraft general manager, said: "The naivety of believing that actions more appropriate to Nazi Germany in the 1930s are acceptable in 21st century Britain is beyond belief."

Councillor Kevin Stewart said the success of Glencraft's business plan rested in large measure on the continued availability of significant council subsidy for the next 10 or more years. "Aberdeen City Council, however, has judged that moving to smaller premises in order to render Glencraft more financially stable and sustainable is a very high-risk strategy.