Andy Burnham and Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month.Donald Trump has praised Labour’s decision to give the go-ahead for a new gas drilling operation in the North Sea.
The US president urged Andy Burnham to go “FULL BLAST” by backing further fossil fuel exploration.
Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh confirmed on Wednesday that she had approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field off the coast of Aberdeen.
The project is one of two – alongside the Rosebank oil field – which were given the green light by the previous Conservative government but then halted because of a legal challenge over environmental concerns last year.
According to The Guardian, Fahnbulleh is minded to block the Rosebank project, in what would be a major victory for climate campaigners.
But such a move would enrage Trump, who has repeatedly made it clear that he believes the UK should extract as much oil and gas from the North Sea as possible.
Responding to the Jackdaw decision on Truth Social, he said: “Great news for the wealth and prosperity of the United Kingdom, and the wonderful region of Aberdeen.
“The UK has started drilling in the North Sea, one of the greatest and most prosperous areas of OIL in the World.
“They should go FULL BLAST!!! This will make the UK very wealthy again. TAKE DOWN THE COSTLY AND RIDICULOUS WINDMILLS!”
Warren Stephens, the US ambassador to the UK, said: “Energy security means taking charge of your own energy.
“I welcome the UK moving forward with Jackdaw and hope approval for Rosebank follows.
“Developing Britain’s own North Sea resources supports UK businesses and its people. A stronger, more secure UK energy sector benefits us all.”
Burnham said the approval of the Jackdaw gas field will “protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter”.
But Green Party leader Zack Polanski accused the PM of “climate vandalism”.
He said: “Labour has abandoned all credibility in the fight against climate change.
“The energy secretary has herself said it will make no difference to energy bills, the health secretary has admitted the summer heatwave added to pressure on the NHS and the industry’s own assessment is that will create only 27 jobs.”
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