Dakota pipeline operator goes to court after government delays construction

Energy Transfer Partners accused the Obama administration of being motivated purely by politics and said it would pursue rights to build controversial oil line

The operator of the Dakota Access pipeline has asked a federal judge to approve immediate construction under the Missouri river just one day after the US government delayed the oil project that has faced international opposition from indigenous groups and environmental activists.

Energy Transfer Partners, the owner of the $3.7bn pipeline, accused President Barack Obama's administration of being "motivated purely by politics" and said it would "vigorously pursue its legal rights" to build under the river that provides the Standing Rock Sioux tribe's water supply.