Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney is repeatedly challenged on whether he supports the Rosebank oil field development. Across outlets, the dispute centres on his refusal to give a clear yes-or-no answer when questioned in public.
Several reports describe rivals accusing him of “evasion” or urging him to “get off the fence,” including during First Minister’s Questions. The Herald Scotland adds that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) warns that Swinney’s refusal could disrupt its North Sea tax forecasts, linking the political exchange to fiscal projections.
Other coverage frames the pressure in party-political terms. The Evening Standard reports Tory leader Russell Findlay criticising Swinney for being willing to comment on other issues but not on the North Sea. The Scotsman similarly highlights repeated challenges for an explicit stance, while the Belfast Telegraph focuses on calls for clear support for Rosebank.
