A top Cabinet Minister has warned that HS2 is a "killer whale" that could "rip the arm" off the next Prime Minister.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse said the controversial high speed rail project could spell trouble for Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss as they battle for the keys to No10.
The Government has already axed plans for the most eastern leg of the Y-shaped line, which would have gone to Leeds, triggering a furious backlash.