A WAR of words has erupted between two Fife MSPs over the way in which the controversial ship-to-ship oil transfer in the Firth of Forth is being handled by the SNP-led Scottish Government.

Plans by SPT Marine Services to pump 7.8 million tonnes annually of Russian crude oil between tankers anchored four miles off the coast have been fiercely opposed.

The final say lies with Forth Ports, which stands to gain financially from the deal.

In June, MSPs unanimously adopted new powers, enabling ministers to freeze plans affecting protected sites, such as the oil transfers in the Forth.

However, it will take a change of UK law to stop oil transfers.

Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Claire Baker has accused the SNP of “bending the truth” by promising to prevent ship-to-ship transfers prior to the May elections and then not using its new powers to play a part in stopping them going ahead.

She said, “The powers they brought in merely gave ministers the right to check that Forth Ports have met pre-existing standards, rather than raising the hurdle for ship-to-ship in any way.

“It now appears that even these limited new powers have not been put to the test.

“We haven’t heard a word from the SNP on this important issue for many months but it seems it has still yet to be resolved.”

On Wednesday, the environment and rural affairs committee decided at a meeting at the Scottish Parliament to leave open petitions calling for an end to ship-to-ship oil transfers.

“I have written to the Forth Ports Authority to get the answers we all need on this, and I look forward to hearing from them so we can put this issue to rest.”

Mrs Baker said she believed the only way to resolve the issue was to implement a marine bill.

“I will therefore be working hard in parliament, with my colleagues, to push for this at the earliest opportunity.”

Central Fife MSP Tricia Marwick said Mrs Baker had “completely misunderstood” the entire issue.

“While the new measures given to Scottish ministers give them greater powers over Forth Ports in the way the company assesses the plans, they do not put the final decision in the hands of ministers.

“The rural affairs committee has kept the petition open because the matter has not yet fully been resolved and Forth Ports have not even came to any decision.

“Mrs Baker is correct when she says that lasting legistation is needed to stop transfers happening in the Forth—however this legislation must come from Westminster and not from Scottish Parliament.

“I should point out as well that, for the last six years, the Labour government were faced with this issue and chose to do nothing whereas the SNP-led government are working very hard to ensure the most effective long-term solution is arrived at.”