Tempers are likely running high inside the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) as it continues to defend its controversial energy policy decisions against mounting criticism.

Yesterday, energy minister Andrea Leadsom sent a series of tweets suggesting tensions are rising, reports Damian Carrington at the Guardian. In these tweets Leadsom accuses critics of lies, distortion and nonsense.

This come after DeSmog UK reported remarks by Leadsom at the Conservative party conference last Wednesday where she said “There is no chance in the near term that we move away from fossil fuels; that just cannot happen,” later adding “we also want to succeed in carbon capture and storage – a way of lengthening our use of fossil fuels.”

These comments were picked up and criticised by environmentalists on Twitter, to which Leadsom replied: “Total distortion of what I said. Shame it’s only by these tactics that you can make your case…”

Leadsom also sent out heated responses to those criticising the department’s attack on renewable energy to which she tweeted “gosh more nonsense being pedalled by supposedly green supporters. The truth is always better you know.”

@gelmo1981 total distortion of what I said. Shame it’s only by these tactics that you can make your case….

— Andrea Leadsom MP (@andrealeadsom) October 12, 2015

@acre wow – you need to tell lies to get your message across?

— Andrea Leadsom MP (@andrealeadsom) October 11, 2015

@paulbendall @AmberRudd_MP gosh more nonsense being pedalled by supposedly green supporters. The truth is always better you know.

— Andrea Leadsom MP (@andrealeadsom) October 12, 2015

The tweets come after Leadsom’s boss, energy and climate secretary Amber Rudd delivered a speech defending renewable energy subsidy cuts at the party conference, in particular ending support for onshore windfarms. This is despite figures showing that onshore wind is now the cheapest source of electricity.

You can read the full story here at the Guardian.

Photo: DECC via Flickr