UK energy minister Michael Shanks has hit back at criticism levelled by Scottish first minister John Swinney (pictured) at London’s decision to ban the use of turbines supplied by Mingyang in UK waters.
It follows comments made by Swinney this week in a televised debate for the forthcoming Holyrood elections that London had been “anti-Scottish” by blocking plans by Mingyang to enter the UK market that included proposals for a £1.5bn turbine factory at Ardersier, near Inverness.
Shanks said Swinney had sought to “play politics” by questioning the verdict which was announced by the UK government late last month following an examination of potential national security implications.
He added that officials from Westminster had already met with the Scottish government to explain “national security considerations related to the proposed investment”.
He has offered Swinney a further security briefing to “set the record straight” and so “he can fully understand the reasons behind the decision”.