First Minister John Swinney has defended meeting with a Chinese firm to discuss investment in Scotland, following concerns about the potential threat posed to national security.

Ming Yang announced plans last week to build the UK’s largest wind turbine manufacturing facility in Ardersier, near Inverness.

The company said the £1.5bn project could create 1,500 jobs.

The UK Government has yet to confirm whether it will allow the project to go ahead.

Speaking from his trip to Malawi, Swinney warned that the renewables industry in Scotland would be “set back” if the proposals are rejected.

Asked about his meetings with the company, he told LBC: “They are an investor interested in investing in Scotland and I think people would be very surprised if the government of Scotland was not talking

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