THE Tory government could face legal action over its decision to plough on with granting new oil and gas licences despite stark warnings over climate change. 

The North Sea Transition Authority confirmed today that it would invite firms to apply for more than 100 licences to prospect for more gas and oil under the North Sea, with almost 900 locations offered up for exploration. 

The decision flies in the face of recent warnings by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that there can be no more fossil fuel projects if there is to be any chance of keeping global temperature rises to under 1.5°C.