THE Scottish Greens have challenged the SNP to come clean with voters in Aberdeen South and declare a position on the Rosebank oil field.

The Westminster government’s decision on whether to grant a licence to Norwegian-owned Equinor to exploit the field to the west of Shetland is thought to be imminent after the earlier grant of a licence was overturned for failing to take into account lifetime emissions generated by the burning of the estimated 240 million barrels of oil and gas in the field.

Under John Swinney, the Scottish government argues that any new oil and gas must pass the climate test and be necessary for energy security.

But SNP Aberdeen South candidate Richard Thompson’s apparent adherence to that line has provoked claims from the Scottish Greens that the SNP was “walking away from climate leadership.”

Scottish Greens candidate for Aberdeen South, Jorg Shelton-Eckstein, said: “The SNP needs to be honest with people in Aberdeen South.

“Do they stand with workers and communities who need secure jobs for the future, or with the fossil fuel giants who have profited from our city for decades while leaving workers to face the consequences of decline?”

Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay MSP added: “When Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf took a stand against these climate-wrecking proposals it sent a clear message to the world, yet, as the crisis worsens, this Scottish government has resorted to retreat.

“Scotland has vast renewables potential, with the chance to create tens of thousands of high-quality, secure and long-lasting jobs while ending our dependence on volatile fossil fuel prices. 

“All that is missing is the political will to actually do it.”

The SNP was contacted for comment.