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Former Labour shadow energy secretary Barry Gardiner said: "It is the British public, not Equinor, Shell or Siccar, who pay to develop these oil fields."

It said Siccar Point, near Cockburnspath, was commonly recognised as the most important geological site in the world.

The Scottish Geology Trust said Siccar Point provided the first glimpse of "deep time" and great geological cycles in Earth's history.

Geologist and broadcaster Prof Iain Stewart said Siccar Point was a "sacred pilgrimage place" for geologists from all over the world.

But the majority stake has been sold by Siccar Point to Ithica Energy, which has insisted the project is going ahead.