David Frost joins Tory MPs in calls for return of fracking in UK

Letter in favour of shale gas extraction is another indication of party battle over environmental issues

The former Brexit minister David Frost has joined Conservative MPs in writing an open letter to Boris Johnson calling for a resumption of fracking in the UK, in another indication of the ongoing battle within the party over environmental issues.

Lord Frost argued that extracting domestic shale gas would give the UK a competitive and reliable source of energy". But Zac Goldsmith, a key green voice in the government, said it would not reduce energy prices and would put ministers at war with furious communities".