Swinney under fire for 'spineless refusal' to back Rosebank despite Adura meetings

John Swinney is under fire for a “spineless refusal” to back the controversial Rosebank oil development despite him and his ministers meeting several times with the company behind the plans. The First Minister has faced criticism from both sides of the debate for refusing to say whether or not the project, which would produce up to 200 million tonnes of harmful carbon emissions but boost the economy, should go ahead. The UK government approved the Jackdaw gas project but is still to determine whether Rosebank can be issued with an environmental permit to begin drilling.

Ms Swinney is under pressure from those supporting the project for failing to back it while he is receiving heat from climate campaigners who want him to revert to the position under his predecessors and oppose new oil and gas drilling. The Scotsman can reveal that Mr Swinney and his top ministers and advisers have met with Adura, the partnership between Shell and Equinor bringing forward Rosebank and Jackdaw, at least five times this year.

Records show that meetings have taken place in Edinburgh, including at the Scottish Parliament, and in Aberdeen with Adura executives. On February 10, Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin held talks with Adura at the Scottish Parliament when her brief also included energy. Ms Martin met Padraig McCloskey, Adura’s head of corporate relations and the partnership’s CEO, Neil McCulloch, where the senior SNP minister was briefed on the company’s “future pipeline of oil and gas projects”.

On March 13, Mr Swinney, his chief of staff Colin McAllister, special adviser Emily Mackintosh and cabinet secretary Màiri McAllan - who is perceived as more sceptical on oil and gas - met Mr McCulloch at the flagship Gleneages Townhouse in Edinburgh for a “roundtable business dinner”. Records show that Adura asked Mr Swinney “about support for new oil and gas projects” and held a “facilitated discussion on energy security and the role of oil and gas in the transition”.

Ten days later, Mr Swinney and Ms Martin met Mr McCulloch at the company’s headquarters in Aberdeen. Records show the company “discussed the pace at which projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank could be brought onstream” as well as the potential economic benefits of the projects going ahead. On August 10, SNP Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn met Mr McCulloch and Mr McCloskey in Aberdeen. In June, Adura met vocal oil and gas supporter, SNP MSP Jack Middleton - a former special adviser to Mr Swinney.

On Thursday, Mr Swinney was unable to say several times whether he supported the Rosebank project when pressed by Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay. Speaking to The Scotsman, Mr Findlay said: “It's astonishing to discover that John Swinney was twice briefed about how these oil and gas fields would benefit Scotland. “This makes his spineless refusal to answer this simple question even more ludicrous and is another slap in the face for Scottish workers.”

Mr Swinney is also facing criticism from climate campaigners and has been urged to “act in the interests of the whole country”. Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, argued that “ministers are under immense pressure from the oil and gas industry”. She added: “But as First Minister, Swinney has an obligation to balance their needs with the public interest, not least bringing down energy bills and ensuring a liveable climate to our children.

“Rosebank is incompatible with safe climate limits. It would produce over six times Scotland’s annual climate emissions, dwarfing the SNP government’s efforts to tackle climate change. “The First Minister faces a clear choice - listen to oil and gas companies seeking to maximise short-term profits, or properly focus on making sure the new clean energy system provides jobs for Scottish workers, delivers a public dividend, and brings down bills for good.

“His job is to act in the interests of the whole country, which is crying out for affordable bills, genuine long-term industrial growth and a safe climate. That means making it clear he opposes Rosebank." Asked whether the Rosebank development would pass climate compatibility tests, a spokesman for the First Minister said the Scottish government “doesn’t have the information” to make a judgement. He added: “All of that information is before the UK government.

It’s up to them to make that decision. “We would assume they would come to a conclusion based on the evidence in front of them.”