THE giant Ineos plant at Grangemouth is a vital part of the Scottish economy. Housing Scotland’s only oil refinery, activity on the site accounts for nearly 1300 jobs and a sizeable chunk of the country’s GDP.

In this context, it is understandable that the Government would be keen to help such a major employer stay healthy and profitable. However, there is a conflict between the interests of Ineos and the will of the Scottish Parliament.

Ineos, as is its right, wants to take the lead in developing a fracking industry. A majority of MSPs do not share the company’s enthusiasm.

Ministers tried to square the circle by imposing a moratorium while at the same time commissioning research into the practice.

Our story today reveals the double bind the government is in. Since 2009, Scottish Enterprise has ploughed £16m into Ineos.

Such investment inevitably raises the question of whether the Scottish Government can now close the door completely on fracking.

Pouring so much money into a firm associated with fossil fuels is also problematic for ministers. Scotland has world-beating climate change targets and propping up the ‘old economy’ is unlikely to help with these aims.

As Green MSP Mark Ruskell has said: “The government really has some explaining to do, because people will want to know how meeting our climate change targets is possible while investing so much money in this fossil fuel giant.”

As the Government rethinks its case for independence, perhaps it is time to ask hard questions about the sort of economy we would like to leave behind and replace.