Lord Deben backs Labour’s plan to halt new North Sea oil and gas drilling

UK's most senior climate adviser says policy is right thing to do' and criticises government's stance

The UK's most senior climate adviser has strongly endorsed Labour's vow to halt new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, and slammed the government for failing to show leadership on the issue.

John Gummer, who as Lord Deben chairs the statutory committee on climate change, told the Guardian he approved of Labour's commitment. I welcome this policy, I am absolutely in favour and it is the right thing to do," he said.