Douglas Ross has challenged Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar to debate him on the future of oil and gas.
The Scottish Conservative leader has written to his SNP and Labour counterparts to argue only his party has supported the North Sea industry “every step of the way”.
It follows a heated back-and-forth at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday over Labour’s proposals to extend the windfall tax on oil and gas company profits.
Following the fiery debate, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce tweeted all three leaders to say it is willing to host a debate on the issue, asking: “How does next month sound?”
Mr Ross has now told his opponents he is “fully behind” the idea.
“The North Sea oil and gas industry is crucial not just to the 100,000 skilled workers it employs – predominantly in the north east – but to Scotland’s entire economy and energy security,” he said.
“That’s why I’m urging Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar to join me in a debate on the future of the sector, which has a key role to play in a just and managed transition to net zero.
“Behind the desperate spin and counter-spin of the SNP and Labour, the reality is both parties want to turn off the taps in the North Sea now.
“Only the Scottish Conservatives are standing up for the jobs of skilled workers in the north east.
@HumzaYousaf @AnasSarwar
— Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (@chambertalk) February 22, 2024
We'll take care of hosting this debate.
How does next month sound? pic.twitter.com/HvqKVTJD1Q
“Humza Yousaf has some nerve criticising (UK Labour leader Sir) Keir Starmer’s reckless plans, when the SNP have a presumption against all new North Sea developments, opposed Rosebank and Cambo and were the first party to propose a windfall tax.”
Mr Ross also claimed Mr Yousaf “passing himself off as a friend” of the industry was “an insult” to the communities around it.
At FMQs on Thursday, Mr Yousaf condemned Labour plans to extend the windfall tax, arguing there is “palpable anger” from the oil and gas sector against proposals he claimed could cost 100,000 jobs.
He said he would maintain the windfall tax, but keep it at 75% and not use it to fund nuclear energy plants in England.
Scottish Tory North East MSP Douglas Lumsden later quipped the First Minister was “masquerading as the saviour” of the industry despite his presumption against new oil and gas licences.
