Trump attacks Starmer over North Sea oil drilling plans

Donald Trump has attacked Sir Keir Starmer's clean energy plan, urging him to open up the North Sea and "get rid of windmills".

- MILLIE COOKE

In a social media post the president-elect said the UK was making a mistake by reducing its reliance on oil and gas an endeavour that puts the UK at odds with his “drill baby drill” pledge.

His comments come after the departure of several energy companies from the North Sea. They are leaving in protest at the government’s decision to increase the windfall tax on oil and gas producers, which will be used to fund renewable energy.

Mr Trump referenced the decision by oil and gas producer Apache to ditch the UK in his post to Truth Social yesterday, saying: “The UK is making a very big mistake. Open up the North Sea. Get rid of windmills!”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband has pledged to achieve clean power by 2030, putting the UK on a potential collision course with Mr Trump, who has promised to expand US oil and gas production.