Keir Starmer told to “drill baby drill” by Labour MPs and give the green light to North Sea Oil fields after court drama

SIR Keir Starmer has been told by senior Labour politicians to “drill baby drill” and give the green light to two North Sea Oil fields blocked by the courts.

Ed Miliband withdrew government legal support for the court battle over the Rosebank and Jackdraw projects.

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But the PM is facing massive pressure to step in and get the projects going if he is serious about economic growth.

One senior minister said of the row: “I say - drill baby drill.” 

The Sun on Sunday understands Chancellor Rachel Reeves backs drilling.

Scottish Labour politicians are also pleading with No10 to get drilling - warning that further delay risks costing thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of pounds.

A senior Scottish Labour source said: "There are clearly differences of opinion in the UK Cabinet, but the weight of opinion is leaning towards Rachel Reeves and the growth and energy security agenda - rather than what Ed Miliband might want.

"We are very much onside with the Chancellor, and we're hopeful Rosebank and Jackdaw will ultimately get the permission to go ahead in some form.

"This would anger Ed Miliband, of course, but we're confident that's where we will end up.

"We want to see extraction continue, but in a responsible manner."

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A Labour MP said: “we need to send a message to workers that we are on their side. We wont be forgiven if we rush to the 2030 Net Zero targets and lash the oil and gas industry”

A Downing Street source said the matter is now in the hands of the courts.