Andy Burnham told by Conservative MPs to ‘protect vital pipelines from Russian threats’

The demands were made in letter to the Government, signed by shadow Scottish secretary Harriet Cross, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge and shadow energy security secretary Andrew Bowie.

The 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.

The Tories have also been critical about the lack of defence funding announced in the Budget last week.

Mr 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 per cent 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 Scottish National Party “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.”

A Government spokesman said: “National security is our top priority. “We’re delivering nearly £300 billion for defence over the next four years, the biggest sustained increase since the Cold War, and last month we announced plans for new security and resilience laws which would see subsea pipeline and cable saboteurs facing jail and unlimited fines. We continue to work closely with the sector to protect vital offshore and subsea energy infrastructure against a range of threats.”

Scottish energy minister Stephen Gethins, who has been sanctioned by Russia for his activities in opposing Vladimir Putin’s actions, said: “We know that there is an increased threat level, including to critical energy and other infrastructure, and the UK Government must ensure it is doing all it can to defend us from those threats. “It was only a few months ago that the now Chancellor resigned (as defence secretary) to make that point, and yet the new Defence Secretary is not able to explain how or when the UK Government will actually make the necessary investments in defence.”

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter