Trump praises North Sea drilling decision and tells Burnham to 'go full blast'

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Trump praises North Sea drilling decision and tells Burnham to 'go full blast' Brittney Donovan Wednesday 21 October 2026 17:56 BST Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Donald Trump has been a vocal supporter of North Sea drilling ( Getty ) President Donald Trump has celebrated the UK’s controversial decision to drill in the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea to “support the country’s energy security with homegrown gas this winter”. “Great news for the wealth and prosperity of the United Kingdom , and the wonderful region of Aberdeen,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The U.K. 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 U.K. very wealthy again. TAKE DOWN THE COSTLY AND RIDICULOUS WINDMILLS!” Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh approved plans for drilling and Prime Minister Andy Burnham supported the decision as a pragmatic approach to maximize existing energy reserves, claiming it will protect hundreds of jobs and help heat millions of homes without compromising renewable energy goals. Environmental campaign groups, including Greenpeace UK and Oxfam Scotland, condemned the decision as a failure of climate leadership that will exacerbate climate change without lowering household energy bills. The Jackdaw project was previously blocked by Scottish courts following legal challenges, and a separate regulatory decision remains pending for the larger Rosebank oil field off Shetland. In full Burnham finally approves Jackdaw drilling – but energy secretary ‘set to reject Rosebank oilfield’