Sir Keir Starmer has given his clearest indication yet that new drilling at the Rosebank oil field could be approved.
Speaking to Scottish journalists in Downing Street, the Prime Minister said that while no final decision had been made, he wanted to “double down” on the need for oil and gas in the UK’s energy mix “for many years to come.”
Following the submisssion of a new environmental impact assesment, the final decision will rest with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
The original consent for Rosebank was overturned two years ago by Scotland’s Court of Session, which ruled that emissions from burning the extracted oil had not been properly considered.
Asked if his position on Rosebank had softened, Sir Keir said: “There’s a decision that’s needed to be taken on Rosebank as a result of the court case in due course. But as I've said many, many times, oil and gas will be part of the mix for many, many years to come.
"I want to double down on that. But also alongside it, we need to take the opportunity for renewables which is a fantastic opportunity for Scotland. And I think we can do both things.”
The Prime Minister also declined to be drawn on the future of Chinese firm MingYang’s proposed £1.5billion wind turbine factory at Ardersier near Inverness. The project requires UK Government approval amid growing security concerns over Chinese involvement in energy supply chains.
Sir Keir said: “We will obviously look at this when it's appropriate to do so. And obviously we always, in relation to these issues, take into account our national security consideration, but obviously there's no decision on this yet.”