Row as Kate Forbes says Labour 'sabotaging Scotland' with block on £1.5bn factory

DEPUTY First Minister Kate Forbes has accused the UK Government of a “sabotage of Scotland’s industrial future” after a Chinese firm’s £1.5 billion investment in the Highlands was blocked over security concerns. On Wednesday, the UK Government confirmed that it would not allow Ming Yang to construct a wind turbine factory at Ardersier, outside Inverness, saying that they could not “support the use of [their technology] in UK offshore wind projects”. Ming Yang had billed the project as the UK’s largest wind turbine manufacturing facility and said it would create 1500 jobs. READ MORE: Scottish Labour MP issues statement after husband arrested in China spy probe After it was blocked, there were questions about why Labour had taken the decision they did, and why it had taken 18 months to do so. Forbes told the BBC: “The UK Government’s handling of this process beggars belief.” In a separate statement, she said: “National security is obviously important and must be respected, but it is regrettable the UK Government has failed to explain precisely what the problem is with Ming Yang. “What is clear is that Labour are already hammering Scotland’s oil and gas sector, killing investment and costing jobs. “And now, at exactly the time when we need to accelerate the transition to clean, green energy, delivering the jobs people need, Labour have pulled the rug out from under Scotland’s renewables industry. “This decision has been sitting on the desks of UK Government ministers for over 18 months. Their dithering will have far-reaching consequences that, once again, will be left for Scotland to deal with. That is simply sabotage of Scotland’s industrial future.” First Minister John Swinney echoed his deputy, writing on social media: “Deeply disappointed that the UK Labour Government has blocked Ming Yang’s investment in our renewables industry – putting up to 1500 Scottish jobs at risk. “At the very moment we should be building clean energy, they are sabotaging Scotland’s industrial future.” Labour Energy Minister Michael Shanks accused the SNP ministers of “playing politics with national security”, which he said was “deeply irresponsible”. He added: “Responsible governments take decisions which always put national security and resilience first. That is what the UK Government has done.” I’m the first to criticise decisions on energy taken by this Labour Govt. But this was a decision taken because the Chinese state owned company failed to pass crucial national security tests. The SNP like to pretend they are statesmen. Maybe they should try to act like it. https://t.co/r4RAzmLLDC — Andrew Bowie MP (@AndrewBowie_MP) March 25, 2026 The Tories’ shadow energy minister Andrew Bowie also attacked the SNP, saying: “I’m the first to criticise decisions on energy taken by this Labour Govt. But this was a decision taken because the Chinese state owned company failed to pass crucial national security tests. “The SNP like to pretend they are statesmen. Maybe they should try to act like it.” Ming Yang is not in fact owned by the Chinese state; it is privately owned and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. However, there were concerns about whether the firm had links to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and around Chinese laws meaning companies in the country are obliged to work with security services. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "Industry have sought our view on the use of these turbines in British waters and in our energy system. After careful consideration, Government's view is that we cannot support the use of them in UK offshore wind projects. READ MORE: Wes Streeting blasted over £55k donation from private healthcare-linked firm “We will always act to protect our national security, and we are committed to strengthening and prioritising resilient and sustainable offshore wind supply chains. “We welcome investment from China where it's in our national interest – as demonstrated by significant inward investment during the Prime Minister's recent visit to Beijing. "We will continue to take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to our relationship with China – co-operating where we can, whilst never compromising on security and resilience.” A Ming Yang spokesperson said: "We are disappointed by the UK Government's decision not to allow Ming Yang's world-leading technology to be used. READ MORE: Danish firm pledges 500 skilled jobs at new £220m Scottish wind farm factory “The decision misses a significant opportunity to increase competition in the capacity-constrained wind turbine market, delays Ming Yang's plans to invest £1.5bn in Scotland in onshore wind turbine production – creating up to 1500 jobs – and risks energy prices staying higher for longer for British households and industry at a time of global energy shocks.” They added: "We will continue to engage constructively with the UK Government, including on the important topic of national security, and remain committed to supporting the UK's mission to become a clean energy superpower. “We continue to believe in the long-term potential of the UK market, and our planned activities remain unchanged." In January, Ming Yang’s head of UK and European operations Aman Wang said the company had a “shortlist of ports” lined up if the Ardersier site was not approved, adding that “the five are on the continent”.