MSPs welcome oil transfer axe

MSPs have welcomed the decision to abandon plans for ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Forth.

Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and SNP members have signed a motion in the Scottish Parliament praising the move and congratulating groups who campaigned against the plans.

Forth Ports announced on Friday it had ruled out the proposal by SPT Marine Services to pump 7.8 million tonnes of Russian crude each year between tankers anchored four miles off the coast.

The motion, by Labour's Claire Baker, also highlighted the work of politicians in both parliaments on the issue.

Just days before the announcement, Edinburgh North & Leith Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz had dropped his bill on the subject after the UK Government agreed to bring forward new rules.