New Cumbria coalmine: backlash grows as steel industry plays down demand

Red wall credentials' suspected at Westminster as real reason for approval by Michael Gove

Senior steel industry figures have rejected claims that their demand for coal has driven the government's divisive decision to sanction the first new UK coalmine for 30 years.

Levelling up secretary Michael Gove's decision to approve the mine at Whitehaven in Cumbria last week has already faced a backlash in the UK and beyond, with John Kerry, Joe Biden's special envoy for climate, warning he was closely examining the decision.