The Scottish Government has been urged to explain its position on fracking after telling a judge that there is no ban in place, and ministers still have to make up their minds.

James Mure QC, for the government, told the Court of Session that a legal bid by the petrochemical giant Ineos to overturn the “ban” should be thrown out.

He said the company was wrong to claim there was a ban as ministers were still considering the issue and were due to make to make a final decision in October.

He added: "The concept of an effective ban is a gloss. It is the language of a press statement. What they have done is to announce a preferred position on the issue.

"They have not yet adopted a position. Any position which the government will take has to undergo an environmental and strategic assessment. The court should therefore allow the policy making process to go to finalisation, which is expected in October this year.”