OIL and gas giant BP announced plans to sell its North Sea operations today, ending six decades of production. BP chief executive Meg O’Neill announced the sale, saying it would be “better positioned as part of another company.” Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “I’m in close contact with BP and have made clear that my priority is ensuring the workers and local community are protected during this sale process.” While Tory shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie blamed the decision on “Labour’s disastrous net-zero dogma,” SNP First Minister John Swinney repeated his calls for Westminster’s windfall tax on multibillion-pound North Sea profits to be axed. Environmental charity Uplift executive director Tessa Khan, however, hit back: “It’s hard to take seriously the criticisms of parties that oversaw a decade of decline in the North Sea.