The United Kingdom's Energy Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has faced criticism for not engaging with the media during her first official visit to Aberdeen to meet oil and gas executives. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) stated that the exclusion of press was due to Fahnbulleh's recent appointment as Energy Secretary on Monday.
However, the Scottish Conservative Party argued that Fahnbulleh was deliberately avoiding scrutiny of Labour's policies on new oil and gas drilling and the energy profits levy. Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie suggested that Fahnbulleh missed an opportunity to signal a positive shift in Labour's approach to the North Sea industry. Bowie also drew parallels between Fahnbulleh and her predecessor, Ed Miliband, citing their shared opposition to new oil and gas fields such as Rosebank and Jackdaw.
Fahnbulleh has a documented history of opposing new oil and gas projects. In 2022, she posted on social media, "To have a shot at staying within 1.5C global warming, we can’t have any new oil or gas fields." As Energy Secretary, she will be involved in decisions regarding the licensing of the Rosebank oil and Jackdaw gas projects. While Labour's manifesto proposed a ban on new drilling licenses to address climate change, Andy Burnham, the leader responsible for the energy brief, has indicated a desire for an "change of emphasis" on North Sea projects.
Industry representatives, such as Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, have expressed that approving projects like Rosebank and Jackdaw would signal the UK's openness to investment in domestic energy production and its commitment to safeguarding jobs. The SNP's official policy includes a "presumption against" new oil and gas drilling, although this stance is not universally held within the party.
A DESNZ spokesperson indicated that Fahnbulleh is expected to address the media on future visits to Scotland.