SCOTTISH LibDem leader Willie Rennie attempted to attack the Scottish Government after the cancellation of a third runway at Heathrow Airport during FMQs - but the First Minister wasn't having it.
This morning the Court of Appeal found plans for a third runway at the hub illegal, arguing the UK Government had not taken its Paris Agreement commitments on the climate into consideration.
Speaking during First Minister's Questions, Rennie said: "Two hours ago the Court of Appeal ruled against the third runway at Heathrow. I asked the First Minister about her support for Heathrow last May, but she was standing firm. I asked her again this January and she refused to budge. Is the First Minister glad a court has stopped Heathrow expansion?"
Nicola Sturgeon reminded Rennie that Holyrood has no powers over decisions relating to the London-based airport.
She said: "I actually think Willie Rennie mischaracterises my answers to him. The decision whether or not there is a third runway at Heathrow is not one for me or for my government. In fact, I think I pointed out to him that the last time this came to a vote in the House of Commons, SNP MPs did not vote in favour of that."
READ MORE: Heathrow airport third runway ruled illegal over climate change
The SNP leader went on to explain how her government has committed to its climate change ambitions, adding: "I hope that is clear to Willie Rennie. I’m not sure how I can make my position any clearer."
Rennie replied: "I’m afraid all that waffle won’t tackle climate change."
The Scottish LibDem boss then challenged the SNP's lack of climate assessment into the impact of a third Heathrow runway - despite the transport hub being a matter for Westminster, not the devolved government.
He said: "But the First Minister told us not to worry as the Tories were taking care of the environmental side of things. That looks pretty stupid today. So will the First Minister confirm that she is finally ripping up her agreement in support of Heathrow expansion?"
The First Minister looked frustrated as she again stressed Heathrow was not her responsibility.
She continued: "I don’t know how to make this clearer to Willie Rennie that the decision on Heathrow expansion is not for the Scottish Government … it is not within our power or areas of responsibility.
"What we did say was that if that was going ahead, and I would hope Willie Rennie would understand this, then any economic benefit of that should not miss out Scotland."
Sturgeon added that the Scottish Government, unlike the UK Government, includes the aviation industry in its emissions calculations.
"I think Willie Rennie should be aware of this because I think I’ve pointed it out in the Chamber previously, we are in the process now, the later stages of updating our climate change action plan which will be published in April. So we are looking right across the Government at all of our policies to make sure – "
The First Minister was then interrupted by LiBDem MSP Mike Rumbles.
She laughed: "I’m being heckled by Mike Rumbles, who says ‘actions, not words’.
"Well the climate change action plan is all about actions to meet our world-leading targets. And it’s actually what this parliament demanded we do.
"So can I suggest Willie Rennie instead of calling for things which are outwith the powers of this government, actually puts a shoulder to the wheel and looks at the actions this government and this parliament and this country has to take because that’s exactly what my government is doing."
Her comments received cheers from the Chamber.
The court ruling that Heathrow should not build a controversial third runway has won support from across the political spectrum.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan this morning said: "We won! Today we blocked the Tory government plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Today's judgment is a major victory for all Londoners who are passionate about tackling the climate emergency and cleaning up our air."
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