The Tory government has approved the UK's first coal mine in 30 years in Cumbria against widespread anger from green campaigners. UK Government minister Michael Gove gave the green light to the controversial scheme which will dig up coking coal for steel production in the UK and across the world.
Critics - ranging from environmentalists, scientists and even some Conservative MPs - say it will shatter the UK's reputation as a global climate leader. The project was put on hold last year ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow amid expert warnings it would increase the UK's carbon emissions.
Supporters of the site, near Whitehaven in Cumbria, insist it will create jobs and reduce the need to import coal. But tonight, environmental charities blasted the move as a "deeply damaging mistake" - while the Scottish Greens said it was "reckless climate vandalism".
