The SNP were accused of “betraying” North East Scotland today after Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes repeatedly refused to back new oil and gas licences being granted in the North Sea.
At FMQs, Douglas Ross highlighted the warnings of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce that opposition to future oil and gas development risked tens of thousands of jobs.
The Scottish Conservative leader cited the SNP’s opposition to the Cambo and Rosebank projects, and comments from a number of Nationalist ministers rejecting continued oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.
Mairi McAllan, the SNP energy secretary, said the Scottish Government “do not agree with the UK Government issuing new oil and gas licences”.
Former SNP leader Humza Yousaf said: “I don’t think it was the right thing to do to grant 100 new licences.”
His predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “I don’t think we can… continue to give the go ahead to new oil fields.”
Current SNP leader John Swinney also repeatedly refused to back new oil and gas licences when pressed on it during the Scottish leaders’ debate this week.
Douglas Ross asked the SNP’s Deputy First Minister how she could square their comments with her claim this week that the SNP had “never said no” to new licences.
Kate Forbes said that any new proposed projects should be subject to strict climate compatibility tests.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “The SNP are betraying the North East of Scotland by abandoning the oil and gas industry, and the communities that rely on it.
“Several times this week, I asked John Swinney directly if the SNP backed new oil and gas licences. He wouldn’t give a straight answer.
“Now the Deputy First Minister has done the same – making a mockery of her absurd claims earlier in the week.
“I can say clearly and unequivocally that Scottish Conservatives support new oil and gas licences.
“New developments will protect jobs in the North East, support the just transition to net zero, keep bills down, prevent us having to import costly foreign oil, and secure Scotland’s energy security.
“They are trying to pretend otherwise, but the SNP are against new oil and gas licences – regardless of the impact on the workers affected.
“The Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce say this position would put tens of thousands of jobs at risk, yet the SNP government continue to ignore them.”