Jeremy Hunt has confirmed he is “happy” to look at ideas put forward by Boris Johnson for a free port in the north-east if he takes on the role of prime minister.
Last week it was confirmed to the Press and Journal that Mr Johnson was privately considering plans to create a free port in Aberdeen or Peterhead.
The idea would potentially create thousands of jobs and pull in international investment.
Free ports are zones within a country that, for customs purposes, has an independent jurisdiction meaning goods can be manufactured, imported and exported in the zone without incurring normal barriers to trade like tariffs and customs duties.
Senior sources on Mr Johnson’s team confirmed that “discussions are progressing” about giving either Aberdeen or Peterhead “free port status” following the UK’s exit from the European Union.
While on a visit tot he north-east, Mr Hunt claimed he is also open to the possibility of establishing a free port and would consider anything that helps businesses.
He said: “I’m happy to look at those ideas.
“I would be the first prime minister who has been an entrepreneur so anything that can fire up businesses in the whole of the UK is something that I would strongly support.
“I’m also very clear that I want our prosperity to spread more beyond London and the south-east.
“But the most important thing for business in Aberdeen is to come back with a deal pronto from the EU.
“At the moment that has not happened and so you better make a judgement on which of us they trust to do that and I’m that person.”
At the time of the news, the SNP were less generous and said the policy was little more than a “gimmick”.
Councillor Stephen Flynn, who leads the SNP Group on Aberdeen City Council, said: “Aberdeen is likely to be the hardest hit city in the entire UK as a result of the hard Brexit which Boris Johnson is keen on.
“Suggestions such as this are little more than a sticking plaster, the best way to protect jobs and trade is to remain in the EU as this city voted.”