Cole-Hamilton calls out more SNP spin on false wind stat

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called out more SNP spin on the false energy statistic that Scotland has 25% of Europe’s potential offshore wind resource, after Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson was summoned to Parliament about why he kept using it after being warned it was incorrect.

During the exchange in Parliament, rather than accepting that the figure was false, Angus Robertson doubled down on the spin and said it had been, “overtaken by developments.”

Speaking in Parliament, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:  

“Nobody in this chamber is disputing that Scotland has tremendous offshore renewable generation potential. What we are disputing are the bogus statistics which artificially inflate that statistic on the world stage.  

“This figure was in fact always mince. This was a mash-up of reports and academic research going back to 1991 which excluded the renewable powerhouse of Scandinavia.

“I challenged both First Minister and Lorna Slater on this figure when they told me it was outdated. It was in fact never true. They dodged my parliamentary question, asking them to correct the record within the requisite time, and that correction has never been lodged.

“So, can I ask the Cabinet Secretary, why are there no consequences for any of these ministers, including him? Does accuracy, transparency and accountability, both in Parliament and on the international stage, matter so little to this government?”