Commenting after the Beauly to Denny power line statement to the Scottish Parliament, Liberal Democrat Energy spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:
"After a year of delay and dozens of leaks, Ministers bowed to Liberal Democrat demands to make this statement to the Scottish Parliament. But after the Minister's shambolic performance today, answers to key questions are still outstanding.
"As ever with this Government, the devil is in the detail. Unfortunately, Ministers failed to make this detail available to MSPs.
"The Minister ducked all questions about where any under grounding of the line would take place and was reluctant to say whether any changes to the planned route would require extra planning permission. This would delay the project further.
"Indeed, it was Mr Mather's revelation that work on the upgrade may not start for four years that capped a truly remarkable performance by the Minister. This news will be greeted with dismay by Scotland's renewables industry. All in all, Mr Mather has succeeded in spreading further confusion and uncertainty about this nationally strategic project."
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