Government stays cautious on Jackdaw and Rosebank oil field decisions to avoid making mistakes

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has declined to give a timeline for Labour's decisions on the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil field, describing the process as a "pretty closed box" in order to avoid legal challenges. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said on Thursday that a ruling on Jackdaw is "imminent", while Rosebank — the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea — requires "a bit longer". Alexander held the Conservatives responsible for pushing both projects into court by mishandling the original approvals. He also pushed back against SNP First Minister John Swinney's claim that GB Energy has done "literally, absolutely nothing".

Both fields received initial approval under the Tories before courts found that their environmental impacts had not been fully assessed.

Alexander would not confirm whether a Jackdaw decision had already been reached, noting that the matter sits on Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh's desk as a "closed box process".

Swinney's criticism of GB Energy — headquartered in Aberdeen — drew a sharp rebuke from Alexander, who cautioned the First Minister to be "a little cautious".