AN OIL exploration ship was spotted in the Firth of Clyde last week.

The Stril Explorer ship was sighted moving between Ailsa Craig and Arran, prompting suspicion amongst locals.

It comes after the Scottish Government and some of the country’s top academics pinpointed five areas, including the Firth of Clyde, as an area they will explore to try and uncover potential oil and gas reserves.

South Scotland MSP Chic Brodie has been attempting to find out why the ship was sailing off the west coast.

He said: “We were told that it’s checking cables, we’re having that checked though.

"It’s just a bit odd that an oil exploration ship is checking cables.

“The interesting thing is in Shetland the workers have been sent home until some point in September.

“The whole oil situation is just very odd and the fact that an oil exploration ship is in the Firth of Clyde after the recent revelations is just a bit funny to be honest.” The Stril Explorer’s presence follows revelations that the Ministry of Defence blocked oil exploration on the Firth of Clyde over fears it would interfere with Faslane’s nuclear submarine station - with South Scotland MSP Chic Brodie unveiling what he described as a ‘cover-up’.

In June, former Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine, when asked about his involvement in the stopping oil exploration on the Firth of Clyde said: “I do remember that.

"The question is whether it was right for strategic or defence reasons.” The Scottish Government and the MoD were unable to comment before we went to press.