A row over the UK Government’s decision to block a £1.5billion Chinese investment at Ardersier has reignited, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged to visit the Highlands and explain the decision.
Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Ming Yang had selected Ardersier as its preferred location for a new factory, which it says would create up to 1,500 direct jobs and a further 8,000 across the supply chain.
However, the UK Government rejected the proposal in March over national security concerns, a position Downing Street is understood to have no plans to change.
SNP MP Graham Leadbitter has now written to the Prime Minister, saying: “It is time you came to the Highlands, visited the proposed site and looked Highlanders in the eye to explain why Chinese investment in English energy and critical infrastructure is fine, but when it comes to jobs in Scotland it is a very different story.”
UK energy minister Michael Shanks defended the decision, saying: “That is a legitimate reason for us to say no to a particular investment.”