George Osborne's father-in-law has told shocked peers that fracking should be carried out in the North East of England where there are "large, uninhabited and desolate areas." Lord Howell was energy secretary under Margaret Thatcher.
The British Geological Survey recently published an assessment of the shale gas resources in the Bowland Shale, an area stretching across a swathe of northern England and the Midlands.
It identified a large area in the North East which had shale resources, which stretches into the North York Moors National Park. Shale resources also occur under the Peak District National Park.
In addition the BGS assessment showed shale gas resources in heavily populated areas including around Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Doncaster and Wakefield.
The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate.
The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine.
Fears over an impending second wave of coronavirus dominates Wednesday’s front pages.