THE Scottish Greens branded Labour “as damaging as the Tories” on Rosebank today after Sir Keir Starmer said that he would not cancel the authorisation for the widely opposed oil project, despite his party’s commitment to issue no new oil and gas licences.

Following Wednesday’s announcement that a licence has been granted for the exploitation of the massive Rosebank field, estimated to contain 545 million barrels of oil, Sir Keir claimed that to withdraw it would undermine economic “stability.” 

“What we’ve said is no new licences to be granted when we’re in power, but we won’t revoke anything, any licences that are granted before we come into power,” he told Nick Robinson’s Political Thinking podcast.

“I’m mindful of the fact that if there’s one thing that has killed growth in the last 13 years — and it has been killed — it’s the chopping-and-changing lack of strategic thinking.”

His stance sparked strong criticism from the Scottish Greens, whose climate spokesman Mark Ruskell called on Sir Keir and his Scottish counterpart Anas Sarwar to think again.

“The Tories have been utterly reckless,” Mr Ruskell said today. “They are burning our future in order to maximise the profits of their friends in the oil and gas industry.

“Labour’s position is just as damaging. Opposing a development right up until the point you are able to do something about it is not good enough. 

“The decision over oil and gas licences lies with Westminster. If Labour wins the next election, then it is only their MPs who are capable of halting this environmental disaster.

“If the Labour leadership were to take a stand and make it clear that they would withdraw the licence upon taking office, then they may even be able to halt the development right now.

“If the leader of the opposition can’t bring himself to do that, then it is our environment and future generations who will pay the price.”

Scottish Labour was contacted for comment.