The Scottish Greens have hit out at Scottish ministers over their acceptance of environmental impact assessments carried out by the UK government as part of developing a £14 billion third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens' co-convener, questioned the SNP for being in complete agreement with the Tories on aviation policy, despite the party regularly claiming Westminister is out of touch.

Mr Harvie said: "Bizarrely, the Scottish Government is admitting that it is relying on, and is satisfied with, the UK government's environmental impact assessments on the carbon emissions that will come from building a new runway at Heathrow Airport.

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"Whether it's disbanding the Department of Energy & Climate Change or undermining the renewable energy industry, the Westminster government continues to show utter contempt for the fight against pollution and dangerous climate change."

Calling the approval of a third Heathrow runway as "the most environmentally destructive development" ministers could have backed, Mr Harvie continued: "Yet, the Scottish Government, who so often condemn the inadequate work of Westminster, say the Tories are spot on with their aviation policy."

"Heathrow bosses provided SNP politicians with a free bar at their party conference. Days later they backed this reckless and unnecessary plan; meanwhile there isn't a single mention of trains in the Transport Bill published this week.

"SNP ministers seem to think that people in Scotland need more flights to an airport in London but can cope without improved public transport at home."

(LM)