Responding to today’s announcement by the UK Government that the Russian state-owned oil tanker NS Champion will be blocked from visiting Orkney, Highlands and Islands Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston, who is from Orkney and whose home overlooks Scapa Flow and the Flotta Oil Terminal, said:
“I welcome the action the UK Government has taken - and recognise that this has been a complicated situation to address and not as straightforward as some have suggested.
“There has been considerable local anger in Orkney, and wider afield, at the prospect of a Russian state-owned tanker visiting our islands. I applaud the efforts of folk in the islands who have come together, made our community’s voice clear and helped bring about a resolution to this situation.
“I am also grateful to the Scotland Office for their support and efforts on this issue. I contacted the Secretary of State for Scotland on Saturday morning to raise local concerns, and spoke again with him late on Sunday evening.
“The appalling attack by Putin on a peaceful and democratic country has shocked and angered the world.
“Today’s action by the UK Government - and the efforts of our local community here in the islands - send a clear message that we stand with Ukraine against the Putin regime’s interests.”
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