INVERCLYDE'S newly-elected MP has been praised by Secretary of State Ed Miliband for being an 'incredibly eloquent advocate for his port'. 

Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West MP Martin McCluskey asked Mr Miliband about how Scotland can get involved in the UK government's clean energy mission. 

The Scottish Labour MP said: "The Secretary of State was lucky enough to visit my constituency during the election campaign and visit the port of Greenock.

"He saw the great potential that exists in Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West for us to contribute to the government’s clean energy mission.

"What plans does he have to ensure that every part of the country can make a contribution, and what message would he have for my constituents who are looking to the government to make investment in our ports and our marine assets?"

Mr Miliband, Secretary of State for energy security and net zero, praised Mr McCluskey and said: "As an island nation, looking to take advantage in jobs as well as generation of opportunities of offshore wind, our ports are a massively undervalued and underinvested asset.

"We set out in our manifesto the largest public investment in ports since privatisation, and he’s absolutely right to say this must involve all of our United Kingdom.

"Scotland plays a special place [role] in this as it will become the new headquarters of GB Energy."