Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Alexander Stafford said that his interest in hydrogen stemmed from his past work at the fossil fuel giant.

The technology could provide cover for fossil fuel companies to explore more oil and gas drilling, campaigners say.

Activists hope that more and bigger court wins will break the "grinding gridlock" on policies to end use of fossil fuels.

Several major newspapers have amplified a new report on the cost of net zero that contains significant inaccuracies.