SCOTTISH Greens have called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to listen to science and block drilling on the Rosebank oil and gas field.

The party’s demands came ahead of a consultation on the grant of a licence to Shell and Equinor joint venture Adura to exploit the 300 million barrel field ending on August 17.

Scottish Greens energy spokesman Kristopher Leask MSP said: “The very same climate scientists who developed Manchester’s ambitious local climate commitments that got Andy Burnham elected as mayor were worth listening to when he was seeking office, so their warnings and concerns deserve to be taken just as seriously now.

“Science has not changed since Andy Burnham became prime minister.”

He pointed to reports that drilling on Rosebank already faces months of delays after key drilling equipment, including a safety valve, were accidentally dropped overboard, forcing the drilling rig to return to Norway.

Mr Leask added: “It is a grim irony that a literal drop in the ocean may have done more to delay Rosebank than Labour’s broken climate promises.”

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was contacted for comment.