Giving Scotland’s energy assets critical status must be priority – Tories

Energy assets must be given critical national infrastructure status as a “priority” amid reports of Russian vessels near pipelines in Scotland, the Conservatives have said.A letter sent by the party to the Labour Government called for urgent action to protect offshore pipelines.The letter was signed by shadow Scottish secretary Harriet Cross, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge and shadow energy security secretary Andrew BowieThe MPs highlighted reports of Russian vessels lingering over the FLAGS and Frigg UK pipelines, which bring vital gas supplies ashore at the St Fergus terminal in Aberdeenshire.Ms Cross said the Government must take “stronger action to deter hostile states”.She said: “Scotland is on the front line of the growing threats from states such as Russia and China.“Energy security is national security and reports of vessels from these hostile nations operating close to vital pipelines off our coast should set alarm bells ringing for Labour ministers.“These pipelines bring the gas that millions of households and businesses depend on. Any disruption would have catastrophic and potentially long-lasting consequences.“Labour ministers must take stronger action to deter hostile states and ensure that Scotland’s offshore energy assets receive critical national infrastructure status.”The three MPs have called on the Labour Government to strengthen protections for offshore infrastructure, deter hostile states, assess alternative gas supplies and ensure all relevant offshore energy assets receive critical national infrastructure status.Andrew Bowie said Labour and the SNP ‘continue to undermine the very industry that keeps the lights on for businesses and families’ (Stefan Rousseau/PA)PA WireThe Tories have also been critical about the lack of defence funding announced in the Budget last week.Read MoreMr Cartlidge said: “The sighting of Russian and Chinese vessels in British waters underlines why we cannot afford to be complacent about the threats to the realm.“Yet at last week’s Budget, Labour again failed to commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence. Kicking the can down the road is leaving our armed forces without the certainty they need.”Mr Bowie claimed Labour and the SNP “continue to undermine the very industry that keeps the lights on for businesses and families”.He said: “The ongoing refusal to back Rosebank, and the ban on new oil and gas licences is putting our energy security, thousands of skilled jobs and billions of pounds of investment at risk.“Scotland’s energy infrastructure must be given the protection it deserves. That means recognising offshore energy assets as critical national infrastructure and backing our domestic oil and gas industry.”The UK and Scottish governments have been approached for comment.