Cheshire fracking report 'possibly doctored' by Labour, Tories claim

An anti-fracking camp at Upton in Chester

Labour may have "doctored" a report on fracking, Conservatives have claimed.

A draft paper for Cheshire West & Chester councillors said there was a "lack of scientific information" on the controversial gas extraction process.

But the Conservative councillor who chaired the committee examining the issue said it was "possible" that the report had been "doctored" by the council's new ruling Labour group.

Labour MP Justin Madders described the "outrageous" allegation as "absurd".

An initial version of the council's Unconventional Gas & Oil Extraction Working Group report said councillors were "frustrated" at not being able to find "credible science-based evidence" on fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing.

Fracking is a technique used to extract gas found deep underground in shale rock.

Councillors in Lancashire recently rejected two applications to frack in the county.

The working group in Cheshire has been holding hearings and considering evidence since April 2014.

While council staff had the job of preparing a report, councillors can debate whether to make changes.

It concluded there was limited data around fracking.

'Outrageous'

The report will form part of the council's planning process if and when it comes to assess fracking applications.

Anti-fracking protesters set up camp at Upton last year, despite an energy company saying it has no plans to drill there.

Conservative councillor Mark Williams insisted he does not recognise the report's claim of a lack of evidence.

Labour won control of the council by one seat in May's elections.

When asked if he suspected the new Labour administration had "doctored" the report, Mr Williams replied: "Quite possibly".

But Mr Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston and previously leader of the council's Labour opposition group, said the allegation his party may have doctored the report was "outrageous".

He said: "It's embarrassing he's actually saying that. That may be the way the Tories ran Cheshire West but the Labour group runs things with a bit more integrity."