Norway’s new energy minister has dealt a scathing assessment of recent attempts by the opposition Labour Party to broker a compromise on the oil industry’s controversial desire to gain access to acreage off the Lofoten islands that have for years been protected by a moratorium.

Energy Minister Terje Soviknes, from the right-wing Progress Party, described Labour’s proposal as a “betrayal” against the oil industry when addressing an industry audience at a seminar in Sandefjord this week.

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