Ed Miliband ‘broke rules’ after approving plans for Labour and Just Stop Oil donor Dale Vince’s 524-hectare solar farm_Nhy
Ed Miliband has been accused of ‘breaking the ministerial code’ after approving Labour donor Dale Vince’s application for a solar farm.
Eco-entrepreneur Dale Vince donated millions of pounds to Labour before the election, making him one of the party’s most prominent backers.
Last week, the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero approved plans to build Heckington Fen Solar Park, a 524-hectare solar farm in Lincolnshire, owned by Mr Vince’s green energy company., Ecotricity.
MPs have written to Sir Keir Starmer urging an investigation into ministerial standards.
Mr Timothy, the MP for West Suffolk, told the Telegraph: ‘It is difficult to see how Ed Miliband has not broken the ministerial code in making this decision, which benefits a significant Labour donor.
‘There is no case for constructing these giant solar and battery farms on agricultural land, but Miliband’s net zero zealotry means more of these monstrosities are heading for rural communities.
‘The Government has questions to answer not only about its links to Dale Vince but also about the absurdity of this rush to intermittent and unreliable renewables.’
Residents and councillors have also been angered by the decision and have accused Miliband of ‘trashing the countryside’.
Ed Miliband has been accused of ‘breaking the ministerial code’ after approving Labour donor Dale Vince’s solar farm
Eco-entrepreneur Dale Vince is one of Labour’s most prominent backers after he donated millions of pounds to the party before the election
Dale Vince is a majority shareholder and chairperson of Forest Green Rovers and owner of Ecotricity
Labour maintain that political donations have ‘no influence’ on whether or not planning applications are approved.
Earlier this week, Miliband was accused of having ‘lost his voice’ over the Heathrow runway expansion plan – as he remains silent almost 72 hours since the announcement.
The Energy Secretary once threatened to resign over proposals for a third runway, but has been conspicuously quiet since Rachel Reeves’s announcement.
The Tories last night questioned his absence at the Chancellor’s speech on Wednesday, when she unveiled her support for the airport’s expansion, and at Prime Minister’s Questions afterwards.
Andrew Bowie, shadow energy spokesman, told the Mail: ‘Ed Miliband once threatened to resign over Heathrow expansion and said it ‘makes us look completely ridiculous’.
‘Now 72 hours after the Chancellor’s speech, we still haven’t heard a peep. It seems the loudest cheerleader of net zero has lost his voice.’
Asked by LBC whether he was fully behind the plans, Ms Reeves said: ‘Yes, we are all united as a Cabinet backing these plans.’
Mr Vince also broke ranks with the party by warn against Rachel Reeves backing a third runway at the airport.
He claimed it would harm the party’s progress towards becoming net zero.
