Exclusive: The former First Minister publicly lambasted a Tory UK Government decision to give the green light to the Rosebank oil field, near Shetland, and spouted claims which could not be backed up.
The Scottish Government has been slated for talking down the oil and gas industry – without providing the evidence to back up a spurious claim made by a former First Minister. Humza Yousaf spoke out negatively about permission for a new oil field in the North Sea being granted.
The Scottish Government has been slated for talking down the oil and gas industry – without providing the evidence to back up a spurious claim made by a former First Minister. Humza Yousaf spoke out negatively about permission for a new oil field in the North Sea being granted.
Back in September 2023, the Tory UK Government said that Rosebank, just off of Shetland, should go ahead to help with boosting energy security throughout UK and in response to the Russian threat. It led to a civil war breaking out within the SNP, with positive and negative views being shared.
The SNP at Holyrood criticised the decision as they governed the Scottish Government alongside the Scottish Greens. Mr Yousaf faced journalists at Holyrood where he blasted the decision to give permission to the new oil field, which could be worth billions to the Scottish economy.
He said: “I think Rosebank is the wrong decision. Scotland’s future, the North East’s future, is as the net zero capital not just of Europe, but of I hope the world. New oil and gas licences being given the go ahead will slow the pace of that transition. I want to accelerate that transition and take the workers with us.”
READ MORE: SNP’s flagship strategy slated as government told to stop investing in failing companies like Ferguson Marine
The Scottish Government’s position on new oil and gas developments is still unclear with John Swinney moving away from his predecessors’ policy of opposing them directly. Instead, he has insisted that they must pass climate compatibility tests first before going ahead but has stopped short of welcoming any new licences being granted.
Rosebank is now being blocked in the courts thanks to an appeal by environmental activists, with the Labour UK Government refusing to defend the decision due to its net zero drive which has been criticised by political rivals. The new oil field would bring hundreds of jobs to the north-east of Scotland.
The Scottish Daily Express asked the government for evidence to back up the claims made by Mr Yousaf but were told that no information could be found. An official wrote: “Searches were undertaken from 01 March 2023 until 27 September 2023. This covers the period from when Mr Yousaf was appointed as First Minister until the date of the article which you have referenced.
“While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested…we do not hold any information behind the statement that you have referenced.”
Mr Yousaf’s comments also enraged some within the oil and gas sector and prompted then-Ithaca Energy boss Alan Bruce to write to him to express his anger at the fact he publicly dismissed the plans, while privately welcoming new investment. He also questioned his just transition comments, and asked for evidence to back this up.
Scottish Tory Shadow Cabinet for Net Zero and Energy Douglas Lumsden told the Scottish Daily Express: “It’s no surprise to discover Humza Yousaf was talking through his hat. But it’s shocking that the SNP government was prepared to throw the oil and gas sector under the bus without having done the most basic research on the evidence.
“The development of new fields isn’t just crucial to tens of thousands of Scottish jobs. It makes a managed transition to cleaner energy much more realistic, safeguards our energy security and reduces costly and environmentally damaging imports.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Decisions on offshore oil and gas licensing, consenting and the associated fiscal regime, are all matters that are currently reserved to the UK Government. We’re clear in our own support for a just transition for Scotland’s valued oil and gas sector, which recognises the maturity of the North Sea basin and is in line with our climate change commitments.”
