Minister explains timing of HS2 statement after pre-filmed video emerges

Mark Harper, the transport secretary, explains how a video of Rishi Sunak justifying the decision about HS2 was filmed days before the decision was officially made and announced.

In an interview with Kay Burley on Sky News, Harper dismissed suggestions that No 10 had been misleading. He said that the government had been working on the plan for weeks, but that as transport secretary he did not take the formal decision to axe phase two until Tuesday, and that that was approved by cabinet on Wednesday.

The video posted by Downing Street was recorded before the Conservative party conference, which is routine in government communications, but on Monday No 10 issued a statement saying no final decision had been taken