Shapps blames hauliers for sparking fuel chaos after ‘meeting leak’

GRANT Shapps has blamed truckers for fuel shortages while panic buying continues across the UK.

The Transport Secretary has now slammed the shortages as a “manufactured situation” which was created by an HGV association.

3

3

Speaking to Sky News’ Trevor Phillips On Sunday programme, Mr Shapps said: “There was a meeting which took place about 10 days ago, a private meeting in which one of the haulage associations decided to leak the details to media.

‘That has created, as we have seen, quite a large degree of concern as people naturally react to those things.”

However Rod McKenzie, of the Road Haulage Association, has denied leaking details of the meeting.

He said: “The allegation against me is nonsense.

 It comes as...

• Petrol supplies have been plundered with industry figures revealing 85% of stations have run out of fuel
• Soldiers could be called in to help deliver fuel tankers as the PM mulls calling in the army
• Brawls have broken out across forecourts - including dramatic scenes between moped drivers
• Competition laws have been suspended in an attempt to curb panic buying
• The UK’s second-biggest oil refinery faces collapse over a £223million VAT payment
• An ambulance crashed into traffic waiting for petrol while rushing to an emergency
• A list of petrol stations with fuel can be seen here

“I was not in the meeting. I was not briefed about the meeting afterwards. I certainly didn’t brief any journalists about the meeting about which I knew nothing.

“It is entirely without foundation.”

Most read in The Sun

Dutch Darts Masters

Luke Littler BEATS Michael van Gerwen to reach semis, Humphries OUT

holly speaks out

Holly Willoughby breaks silence on ‘tough’ year and quitting This Morning

LITTLE WOODS

Laura Woods gives birth to 1st child with Adam Collard and reveals sweet name

KICK IN THE NUTS

We’re left to rot on hellhole estate after Dartford Disneyland dream died

The Road Haulage Association estimates there is a shortage of about 100,000 HGV drivers, with the pandemic and Brexit exacerbating the problem.

It comes as colossal queues formed from early this morning as Brits ignored the government’s pleas not to panic.

Meanwhile some drivers have been hit with a £30 limit on fuel after panic buyers queued at petrol stations across the country amid shortage fears.

Police have been forced to marshal motorists after they raced to forecourts to fill their tanks up.

🔵 Read our petrol crisis live blog for live updates on the crisis

And selfish drivers have started filling up jerry cans with fuel after queuing from the early hours of this morning.

Now ministers are urging nearly 40,000 retired haulier to return to work after retailers warned the Government it has less than two weeks to prepare for the festive season, reports .

And the Prime Minister is set to personally sign a million letter to ask drivers who left the industry to get back on the UK’s roads.

Meanwhile Boris has agreed to temporarily loosen immigration rules so foreign HGV drivers can work in Britain to help with the crisis.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

TINY HOME

We sold our home for tiny canal boat... we save £1,000s but there's a downside

TAXING TIMES

Thousands on low-incomes face council tax bill shock as support slashed

Over temporary foreign visas will be fast-tracked to solve the supply chain crisis that retailers are warning could ruin Christmas.

But No10 warns any measures introduced would be “very strictly time-limited”.

3