Furious Question Time row explodes over net zero – ‘lies’ | Politics | News

A fierce row over net zero has erupted on tonight’s Question Time as Reform England’s head of policy clashes with a former Green Party leader. The fiery moment came as the BBC panel program discussed how the UK can achieve energy independence as prices soar amid the Iran war.

Former Greens MP Caroline Lucas has accused Reform’s James Orr of “lying” after opposing the “reckless” net zero push. But before presenter Fiona Bruce intervened, Mr Orr branded Ms Lucas’ accusation a “horrible slander”.

Mr Orr argued that the UK was “uniquely vulnerable to external shocks affecting gas and oil prices around the world”.

He said: “Where do we stand in this vulnerable area because for years the Conservative Party and Labor have been committed to a reckless pursuit of net zero that has disproportionately harmed those who can afford it.

“That’s why earlier this week our shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick announced there would be a clean £200 on our energy bills, £85 with zero-rate VAT on energy and £115 with the removal of crazy taxes.

“This is a start, it does not mean taking advantage of dwindling fossil fuel fields in the North Sea, although there is still enough fossil fuel there.

“When the wind doesn’t blow, you need gas to support it, and sometimes the wind doesn’t blow either, and we need to have much stronger energy security and energy sovereignty so that we’re immune to wars, we’re immune to geopolitical shocks, and we often have very little control over those.”

But Ms Lucas said: “I’ve given up hope on the kind of lies you tell people James, it really isn’t true.”

Mr Orr replied: “These are not lies, this is a terrible slander.”

Ms Lucas insisted the Middle East crisis showed Britain needed to double down on its eco policies.

He said: “The best way to insulate ourselves is of course to go further and divest from oil and gas as quickly as possible and invest properly in renewables.”