SCOTTISH GREENS have called on SNP First Minister John Swinney to publicly oppose all new oil and gas exploration.

Challenging Mr Swinney at First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater urged him to maintain his government’s presumption against new North Sea oil and gas licences amid fears the policy may be watered down in its long-delayed energy strategy.

Ms Slater said: “First Minister, we have a duty to future generations not to let global heating spiral out of control.