Energy Minister Michael Fallon appears to have contradicted his own public claims that fracking would not ruin the countryside after apparently joking the controversial drilling process could cause houses' walls to shake.
A conservative MP says Britain risks a "north-south" divide over fracking amid ongoing controversy over prospecting for shale gas.
Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Eric Ollerenshaw warned that a situation where "the North gets the dirty end and the south sucks up all the energy" was unacceptable.
His comments came after Tory peer Lord Howell of Guildford sparked outrage earlier this week by suggesting that fracking should be confined to "desolate" parts of the north of England.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour, Mr Ollerenshaw said: "It does look as if the rest of the country wants to use Lancashire as its energy base.. but long term what is going to be the benefit to the area where this is going to happen?"
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.