"There is massive opposition to fracking in Scotland in general and particularly within the rank-and-file SNP, but regrettably the Scottish Government and SNP leadership don't reflect that," John Finnie told Sputnik, adding that SNP would have supported Scottish Green Party's call for a fracking ban if they were opposed to it.
The parliamentarian, who left the SNP over their decision to support NATO membership if Scotland became independent, added that his former party could still do the right thing next week when a crucial vote will take place at the House of Commons, lower house of the UK Parliament.
"It's not too late for the SNP to do the right thing," Finnie told Sputnik. "I urge them to listen to the people, not to mention the health and environment experts, and protect Scotland from fracking."
Finnie stated that this can be achieved by voting for the Infrastructure Bill amendment next week, "announcing that when they take over responsibility for onshore gas licensing, they will not issue any permits to frack Scotland."
"To be a real world-leader on climate, the Scottish Government must leave unconventional gas where it is and focus instead on making the most of our abundant renewables potential," Church added.
In a statement, issued Wednesday, co-leader of the Scottish Green Party, Patrick Harvie urged the Scottish Government to "come off the fence on fracking" and join the Greens' call for a moratorium on the industry.
Earlier Lancashire County Council in England recommended the refusal of an application by shale gas company Cuadrilla to extract gas using the controversial fracking method at a site in Blackpool. The company described the development as a setback.
