'Questions Need Answered' Over SNP Drilling Donation

Environmental groups are expressing concerns over reports the SNP received a £27,000 donation from a drilling firm that would benefit if Holyrood's ban on fracking is lifted.

Hydracrat Limited are thought to have given Airdrie MP Neil Gray £3,750, with £6,500 handed to the SNP branch in Airdrie and Shotts, and £17,500 donated directly to the party itself.

Fracking was temporarily banned at the start of this year while safety concerns are investigated - putting a hold on plans to drill under the Forth.

Scottish Labour environmental justice spokesperson Sarah Boyack said: "Anyone confused by the SNP's stance on fracking would do well to follow the money, and here we see SNP politicians who say frack off in public while lining their election war chest with thousands from companies who stand to make a huge windfall from fracking and unconventional oil and gas extraction.

"During the general election SNP MPs like Neil Gray campaigned on an anti-fracking platform, it formed part of his statement to win selection for the SNP in the first place.

"There have been allegations that behind the scenes big businesses are getting nods and winks that Scotland was open for business on fracking.  And the loophole allowing borehole drilling, which could be exploited by industry, has caused further concern the SNP government has loaded the dice for an eventual decision to allow fracking once the Holyrood elections are out of the way."

Richard Dixon is the director of Friends of the Earth Scotland: