Boris Johnson backs big oil and gas companies continuing to drill in North Sea despite opposition from green campaigners

BORIS Johnson has thrown his weight behind big oil and gas companies continuing to drill in the North Sea despite opposition from green campaigners.

His Cabinet comments raised eyebrows on the day energy giant BP announced profits of £306 a second.

The PM said boosting energy in the North Sea could help drive down gas bills.

He rejected calls for an energy windfall tax, backing big suppliers for supporting thousands of jobs and paying billions in tax.

Licences for expanding in the North Sea will still get the go-ahead despite calls to scrap them to help reach green goals.

BP reported $12.8billion profits as energy prices soar.

The eye-watering sums came after losses last year during the pandemic.

They will fund more returns to wealthy shareholders as millions of hard-up Brits struggle to pay their bills.

Raging MPs piled on pressure on ministers to slap a hefty windfall tax on the giants.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “It cannot be right these energy companies are making super-profits whilst people are too scared to turn their radiators on.”