Mark Harper is not the first cabinet minister to suffer a difficult early-morning interview, but the transport secretary seemed oddly blindsided by a quizzing about the future of HS2. No fewer than 12 times he dismissed the issue as “speculation”. If only there were a senior figure from the Department for Transport to clear things up? Here is an edited version of his awkward interview with the BBC Today Programme’s Mishal Husain:
Husain Has something changed on HS2 plans since the last update to parliament in June?
Harper Well, look, on HS2 we’re getting on with building the project between London and Birmingham, the first phase, spades are in the ground and all sorts of other construction equipment as well. We’re getting on with it and I know you want me to respond to the various bits of speculation in the media but I’m not going to comment on speculation…
Husain Has something changed in your thinking on this project?
Harper Well, look, as I said, we’re getting on with delivering it, I’m not going to comment on speculation. You can ask the question however you want …
Husain It’s the biggest thing your department is in charge of.
Harper Well, look, it’s speculation at the moment…
Husain: It’s part of the plan. Was HS2 about getting to Birmingham?
Harper: I’m not going to comment on speculation. You can ask me however you want…
Husain: Are you committed to delivering those strategic benefits to Manchester?
Harper: I’ve just said what I’ve said which is we’re getting on with delivering the project at pace and everything else that you’re asking about is speculation that’s been in the media and i’m not going to comment on speculation.
Husain: You can understand why people conclude that something very serious is happening to change the plan of this project.
Harper: You’re just coming up with lots of different ways of asking me to comment on speculation. I said what we’re doing with the project… I’m not going to comment on speculation that’s been in the media.
Husain Supposedly you are about a long-term plan for Britain. There are outside investors who are looking at this wondering if we can’t quite rely on you now to continue with this long-term plan for rail infrastructure, what about everything else?
Harper We’re making a range of investments… anything else is about speculationthat has been in the media and I’m not going to comment on that. I’m going to focus on our plan for drivers and the important measures we’re going to make to make life easier for drivers. Far more people use buses actually in our country than use trains…
Husain I’m asking you questions about high speed rail and you’re answering by talking to me about buses.
Harper Well, I’ve answered the questions about high speed rail.
Husain Well, you haven’t actually…
Harper: You’ve asked me about the project and I’ve said we’re getting on with delivering it. Everything else you’re asking me about is speculation that’s been in the media and I’m talking about our plan for drivers…
