Labour’s Net Zero chaos as Burnham sends his Attorney General to court to fight for oil drilling rights off Falklands… as new Bill bans new exploration off UK coast

The UK is contesting Argentina’s request for an international tribunal to halt oil and gas development near the Falkland Islands, sending Attorney General Ellie Reeves to argue the case in Hamburg. The dispute highlights a contrast in Labour’s energy policy: while defending exploration around the islands, the Government is advancing a bill to prevent new oil and gas licences in the North Sea.

Argentina says the UK’s approval of the Sea Lion project is illegal and wants drilling paused until the sovereignty dispute is resolved. The field, around 130 miles from the Falklands, is estimated to contain 1.7 billion barrels of oil and is being developed by British and Israeli companies. The tribunal hearing is expected to last two days, with a decision due in several weeks.