UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has left the door open for future North Sea drilling as he confirmed he told Donald Trump “we can’t ignore” the resources there.
The two leaders held a phone call on Mr Burnham’s first day in office, during which the US president said the new Prime Minister told him he would “open up North Sea oil”.
Mr Burnham was asked during a visit to Barrow in Cumbria on Thursday whether Mr Trump was correct.
“I indicated in the phone call that we had a week last Monday that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here,” the Prime Minister said.
“There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can’t ignore that. Hence, me indicating that to the president.”
Labour’s 2024 manifesto said the party would not issue new North Sea licences, but Mr Burnham appeared to leave the door open to a change.
