UK's Mandelson says wants early talks with GM on Opel

LONDON - British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said on Wednesday he wanted talks soon with General Motors after the U.S. car firm scrapped plans to sell its European Opel unit, including its British Vauxhall plants.

I am keen for very early discussions with GM over their plans for the business and how they will affect British plants and workers, Mandelson said in a statement.

I have always said that if the right long-term sustainable solution is identified, then the government would be willing to support this, he said, without elaborating. (Reporting by Adrian Croft; Editing by Peter Griffiths)