THE SCOTTISH Labour leadership contest is becoming a race to the bottom on climate policy, the Scottish Greens said today.

Candidates to become the new party leader following Anas Sarwar’s departure for the House of Lords were slammed by the Greens for putting oil and gas profits ahead of people’s futures.

They pointed to aspiring Scottish Labour leader Joe Fagan, who says he “will not stop lobbying the UK government” until the North Sea oil projects of Rosebank and Jackdaw are approved.

The Greens also slammed frontrunner Michael Marra for his support for the controversial oil fields, while lamenting Monica Lennon’s inability to stand in the race because she does not have enough nominations.

Green co-leader Gillian Mackay called the contest “a race to the bottom on climate.”

The MSP said: “Joe Fagan and Michael Marra know exactly how damaging a climate-wrecking project like Rosebank would be, yet they’re still demanding it goes ahead.

“More drilling won’t cut energy bills or deliver secure, long-term jobs. It will only lock Scotland into an industry that is fuelling the climate crisis while delaying the investment we need in renewables.

“We’ve had weeks of wildfires across our country, we can’t let that become our new normal.”

Se added: “It’s also deeply disappointing to see a capable woman being squeezed off the ballot when, on oil and gas and many other issues, she is offering a far more progressive alternative.

“There are plenty of issues where I disagree with Monica Lennon, but if she’s prevented from standing it will say a great deal about where Scottish Labour now stands.”