John Swinney has been urged to drop the SNP government’s opposition to new oil and gas developments.
At First Minister’s Questions, Russell Findlay said the closure of Grangemouth was the “price of the SNP and Labour’s hostility towards oil and gas”.
The Scottish Conservative leader said John Swinney should drop the SNP government’s presumption against new oil and gas exploration.
He also said the SNP should stop blocking nuclear developments in Scotland.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Scotland’s only oil refinery ceased operations this week.
“Hundreds of workers at Grangemouth have lost their jobs and face an uncertain future.
“Scotland has vast oil reserves but will now need to import all of our petrol, diesel and other fuels.
“This is the price of the SNP and Labour’s hostility towards oil and gas.
“People in the real world know that using Scotland’s oil and gas is plain common sense.
“John Swinney must drop the SNP government’s presumption against new oil and gas exploration.
“If John Swinney’s government doesn’t support business, how can he act all surprised when business fails?
“A new generation of nuclear power stations should also be considered.
“Nuclear energy is clean and green. It produces a reliable and steady supply. It would bring down people’s bills.
“Yet John Swinney is intent on inflicting self-harm on Scotland by blocking all new nuclear developments.
“This is nonsensical, impractical and irresponsible. But he’s blinded by ideology.
“Nuclear makes sense for our economy, it makes sense for our environment – so why doesn’t it work for John Swinney?”