Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch has ignited a furious political row and accusations of betrayal after a leaked letter exposed a major government U-turn on North Sea oil and gas exploration.
The Business and Trade Secretary privately wrote to a climate change committee, stating the Conservative party would no longer support new fossil fuel projects—a stark contradiction to the government's public stance and its recent controversial legislation to mandate annual oil and gas licensing rounds.
The revelation has provoked fury within the Scottish Conservative party and the energy industry, with warnings of catastrophic consequences for the economy of Aberdeen and the wider north-east of Scotland.
Industry and Scottish Tories React with Fury
The leaked correspondence, addressed to Chris Stark, the outgoing chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, has been met with alarm. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, whose constituency is in the heart of the affected region, slammed the secret shift in policy, stating it would "destroy thousands of jobs and wreck the economy of the north-east".
Industry body Offshore Energies UK echoed these concerns, emphasising the critical importance of domestic oil and gas production for the UK's energy security. A spokesperson warned that turning off the taps in the North Sea would simply force the UK to import more energy from abroad, often with a higher carbon footprint, while sacrificing vital British jobs.
A Policy Contradiction Exposed
The leak exposes a deep and embarrassing contradiction at the heart of government policy. Just months ago, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak championed the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, positioning it as a pro-growth, pro-energy security measure that would protect UK jobs.
Badenoch's private letter, however, suggests a capitulation to green groups and aligns the government with the Labour party's position of halting new North Sea licences. This has left Scottish MPs and industry figures feeling blindsided and accusing Westminster of a complete disregard for the Scottish economy.
The fallout threatens to reopen civil war within the Tory party between the net-zero wing and those who argue for a pragmatic, slower transition that protects the UK's energy independence and workforce.
