SNP Government failure to deliver promised boom in renewables brought into focus as Iran war fuels surge in energy bills in Scotland

First minister John Swinney cultivates an image of sober reasonableness but has shown himself to be a hypocrite of the first order in his latest attacks on the UK Government.

Mr Swinney accused prime minister Sir Keir Starmer of “dithering” in his response to the surge in fuel oil prices triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran amid fears that thousands of Scots will be hit hard.

The criticism looked like a crude attempt to turn the war to the SNP’s advantage, particularly given the fact there was nothing to stop the Scottish Government offering help.

In the event, Sir Keir unveiled a £4.6m package last Tuesday. The Scottish Government waited until the following day to trump that by announcing it would make £5.4m available to supplement the UK response, which it said did not go far enough.

Accompanied by displays of faux outrage, Mr Swinney’s attacks on the PM were pretty lame.

However, they reflect serious failing on the part of SNP Governments which have claimed to be of a stronger moral calibre than Westminster administrations they have lambasted.

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The failings include displays of hypocrisy that are especially glaring in the case of energy policy.

It was notable that SNP energy minister Gillian Martin announced the fuel oil funding days after she........

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