East Lothian Greens’ Westminster candidate has questioned the county MP’s stance on fracking, describing it as “wishy-washy”.

But Fiona O’Donnell has hit back by saying that the Greens have no real answers to the challenge of “keeping the lights on”.

During last week’s Commons debate on the UK Government’s proposed Infrastructure Bill, which will enable drilling companies to run pipelines under property without permission, Labour MPs, including East Lothian member Ms O’Donnell, abstained.

And Labour’s energy spokesman Tom Greatrex MP stated that “shale gas may have a role to play”.

The Greens’ East Lothian candidate for Westminster, Jason Rose, said: “While Labour MPs like Fiona O’Donnell appear to think this is not an important enough issue to vote on, communities across East Lothian and the rest of the Central Belt and rightly alarmed at the prospect of fracking and other unconventional methods of gas extraction.

“I’ve been speaking to people throughout the county who support the Scottish Green campaign against fracking, and are appalled to learn of Labour’s wishy-washy position on the issue.” “By contrast, Green MP Caroline Lucas took a tough stance against the Bill, and it is that sort of constructive and principled approach I would take as MP for East Lothian.” Meanwhile, Ms O’Donnell responded by saying: “I did not support the Infrastructure Bill because the Tories have failed to listen to Labour’s proposals for more rigorous regulation of shale gas extraction.

“I support the Smith Agreement devolving all powers relating to shale gas to the Scottish Parliament.

“It is vital that the Scottish Government listens to communities as they make their views heard through the local planning process.

“At present, there are no plans for shale gas extraction in East Lothian. I am confident that we can, at a local level, protect our environment and health. We have in the past made the case to stop open cast mines in our county.” The Scottish Government, she said, could rule out fracking right now using their planning powers, but have “refused” to do so.

“Perhaps Mr Rose would be better putting pressure on the SNP politicians in Holyrood who could stop this but won’t,” she added.

“Mr Rose’s party, unlike all the other parties in Holyrood, opposed the extension of the operating life of Torness nuclear power station in Dunbar, putting at risk local jobs, the benefit to the local economy and security of our energy supply here in East Lothian and across Scotland.

“Mr Rose has no real answers to the challenges we face to keep the lights on and risks leaving Scotland in the dark.”