MARTIN Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, has welcomed action taken by the Scottish Government to ban fracking in Scotland.

The SNP’s announcement not to support the development of fracking in Scotland follows an extensive period of evidence gathering and public engagement on the impact of unconventional oil and gas extraction.

Paul Wheelhouse, minister for business, innovation and energy, has written to local authorities confirming that Scotland’s moratorium on fracking will remain in place indefinitely.

A public consultation on unconventional oil and gas received over 60,000 responses, with 99 per cent of respondents opposed to fracking.

Mr Docherty-Hughes MP said: “The action taken by the SNP Scottish Government to ban fracking indefinitely is welcome news for West Dunbartonshire and people across Scotland.

“My long-held view is that the risks and disruption posed by the extraction of unconventional oil and gas from our communities are unacceptable.

“As the MP for West Dunbartonshire I regularly hear concerns from constituents about the impact fracking could have on public health and the environment..”

He added: “The ban is a victory for campaigners and a bold step forward in protecting Scotland’s homes, communities and environment from the risks posed by fracking.”