Fuel strike threat: Penning says Jerrycan call mistaken

Telling people to be prepared for a possible fuel strike by keeping a jerrycan of petrol at home was a mistake, transport minister Mike Penning has said.

Cabinet Minister Francis Maude had suggested on Wednesday that people keep a spare can of petrol in the garage in case of shortages.

Mr Penning told the BBC's Newsnight the government was urging "a common sense approach".

He said that if a strike was called, "seven days isn't enough to make sure we have the amount of fuel we need to go forward."