KATE Forbes has urged the UK Government to make a call on whether to approve a Chinese firm's factory plans for the Highlands.

The Deputy First Minister has accused Labour of creating a "vacuum" for investment that could hold up plans for flagship ScotWind projects.

Forbes told Scotland on Sunday she was “frustrated by how long the decision has taken”, have signalled her government’s support for MingYang's £1.5bn investment earmarked for Ardersier, subject to national security concerns being addressed.

Forbes said Shell’s decision to hand back a ScotWind contract to Crown Estate Scotland had “knocked morale”, but insisted “the antidote to Shell is to try and accelerate projects moving through”.

Last month, Chinese turbine giant MingYang confirmed it was pressing ahead with its plan

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