Trump says Burnham is 'getting it done' after Jackdaw decision
Donald Trump praised UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham after the government approved gas drilling at the Jackdaw field in the North Sea, saying the decision would make the UK "a very rich country".
US President Donald Trump has praised UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham over the government's decision to approve gas drilling at the Jackdaw field in the North Sea.
Trump said he had spoken with Burnham, telling reporters on Friday that the decision would "make the UK a very rich country". He added: "Andy is getting it done, and I guess it's against the liberal principle, but he knows..."
Burnham announced approval of the Jackdaw gas field earlier this week. The field lies about 150 miles (241km) east of Aberdeen and is operated by Adura. Ministers said the first gas could be produced by the end of this month, helping heat millions of homes.
Trump appeared to confuse oil and gas in his remarks, saying: "They're opening up the North Sea oil. I've been after them to do that for two years." Earlier in the week he had written on Truth Social that the decision was "great news for the wealth and prosperity" and urged the UK to go "full blast".
The decision drew criticism from environmental groups. Oxfam said the government had "drilled straight through the UK's climate commitments". Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh insisted gas from Jackdaw would be in homes and businesses this month and that the move was "compatible" with legally binding climate commitments.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the prime minister of "dithering" on Jackdaw; Burnham said her party had "messed up" the original decision.
Source: BBC News — Top Stories — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.